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Digitized  by  the- Internet  Archive 

in  2007  with  funding  from 

Microsoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/bostonheralditshOOperrrich 


'I'lKvllcrhitype  J'riiitiii-Co 


Devonshire  .street,  Jioston. 


Wi 


NEW  HERALD  BUILDING. 

Washington  Street  Front. 


THE 


BOSTON    HERALD 


ITS     HISTORY. 


HOW,   WHEN,   AND  WHERE    IT   WAS    FOUNDED. 

'  ITS    EARLY   STRUGGLES  AND  HARD-WON    SUCCESSES. 

THE    PROMINENT    EVENTS     OF    ITS.  CAREER. 

THE   NEW   HERALD   BUILDING   FINISHED  AND   OCCUPIED, 

A   DESCRIPTION  OF   ITS   EXTERIOR  AND    INTERIOR. 

A   GLIMPSE   INTO   ITS   DIFFERENT   DEPARTMENTS. 

THIRTY-TWO    YEARS    OF   JOURNALISM    IN    BOSTON. 


,      .,    o      *    o  o 


BOSTON,     MASS 
1878. 


ORIGIN   OF  THE    HERALD. 

THE  EVEISIXG  EDITION  OF  A  "  KNOW-NOTHING  "  DAILY.  —  THE  ENTERPRISE  OF  AN 
ASSOCIATION  OF  PRACTICAL  PRINTERS.  —  THE  FIRST  NUMBER  AND  HOW  IT 
WAS  ISSUED.  —  ITS  APPEARANCE  AND  CONTENTS.  —  ITS  FIRST  PROPRIETORS, 
EDITOR,  AND  LOCAL  STAFF. — JOURNALISM  IN  BOSTON  THIRTY  YEARS  AGO. — 
REMINISCENCES    AND    ANECDOTES. 

In  the  summer  of  1844  a  number  of  journeymen  printers,  who  had  been 
connected  with  the  "Boston  Daily  Times,"  then  published  at  No.  3  State  street, 
conceived  the  idea  of  starting  a  morning  paper  of  their  own,  and,  in  the  following 
December,  carried  their  design  into  execution.  Their  paper  was  called  the 
"American  Eagle,"  and  was  "published  at  No.  5  Devonshire  street,  third  door  from 
State  street,"  at  three  dollars  a  year  and  one  cent  per  copy,  "by  an  association  of 
practical  printers,  under  the  firm  of  Baker,  French,  Harmon  &  Co."  The  pro- 
prietors were  announced  to  be  Albert  Baker,  John  A.  French,  George  W.  Harmon, 
George  H.  Campbell,  Amos  C.  Clapp,  J.  W.  Monroe,  Justin  Andrews,  Augustus  A. 
Wallace,  and  James  D.  Stowers ;  and  W.  H.  Waldron  was  also  at  one  time  associated 
with  them.  The  "  Eagle,"  as  its  name  indicated,  was  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the 
Native  American  party,  which  was  then  a  comparatively  strong  organization ;  and 
among  its  first  regular  and  occasional  editorial  contributors  were  Dr.  Palmer,  George 
W.  Tj'ler,  Alfred  B.  Ely,  W.  S.  Damrell,  Moses  Kimball,  and  other  gentlemen 
prominent  in  the  party.  The  paper  was  successful  at  first,  but  declined  with  the 
decline  of  the  cause  with  which  it  was  identified;  and,  in  the  summer  of  1846,  when 
its  editorial  and  press  rooms  were  in  the  old  brick  building  on  the  corner  of  Wilson's 
lane  (now  Devonshire  street)  and  Dock  square,  it  was  found  to  be  quietly  dying,  in 
spite  of  the  efforts  of  its  publishers,  then  John  A.  French  &  Co.  Nun^erous  consul- 
tations were  held ;  and,  finally,  it  was  decided  that,  as  aboriginal  principles  did  not 
pay,  it  was  best  to  establish  a  new  evening  daily,  neutral  in  politics,  as  a  venture ; 
and,  if  it  proved  successful,  to  let  the  "Eagle"  die,  and  grow  the  green  off'shoot 
over  its  grave  to  commemorate  it.  Thus  the  Herald  originated.  Its  founders 
were  young  and  sanguine  men ;  but,  with  all  their  hopes  for  the  new  enterprise, 
they  never  dreamed  it  would  eventually  become  the  leading  daily  of  New  England. 
They  were  advised  by  some  of  their  friends  that  they  were  building  castles  in  the 
air,  and  half  feared  it  might  be  true ;  but  they  "  builded  better  than  they  knew." 


M126917 


History  of  the  Herald. 


The  new  paper  settled  on,  the  next  thing  to  look  for  was  an  editor.  In  August, 
1846,  William  O.  Eaton,  a  Bostonian,  and  brother  to  the  popular  star  actor,  Charles 
H.  Eaton,  returned  to  the  city  after  two  years  of  travel,  and,  as  his  contributions  to 
the  "Post,"  "Evening  Gazette,"  "Bee,"  and  several  New  York  papers,  had  displayed 
much  talent,  he  was  asked  by  the  publishers  to  edit  the  forthcoming  sheet.  Being 
young  (he  was  then  but  twenty-two  years  of  age)  and  doubtful  of  his  ability  to 
manage  a  daily,  he  asked  twenty-four  hours  for  deliberation,  and  went  home,  where 
he  wrote  the  first  six  editorials  which  were  published  in  the  Herald.  Finding  that 
he  could  turn  out  enough  leaders  in  one  day  to  last  for  a  week,  he  returned  at  the. 
end  of  the  specified  time,  and  accepted  the  position  offered  him.  He  wrote  the 
poster  announcing  the  first  issue  of  the  paper,  and  headed  it  with  the  startling  cap- 
tion, "Another  Richmond  in  the  Field!"  This  manifesto  proclaimed  independence 
in  politics  and  religion ;  that  the  new  candidate  for  daily  favor  would  be  liberal, 
enterprising,  industrious  in  all  the  departments  necessary  to  the  popularity  of  such 
a  concern,  and  would  devote  a  large  share  of  its  attention  to  literary  and  dramatic 
matters,  as  well  as  to  local  and  other  news ;  and,  in  return  for  its  ambitious  efforts, 
all  it  asked  was  three  dollars  a  year,  or  one  cent  a  copy. 

The  Evening  Herald  came  into  existence  on  the  afternoon  of  August  31,  1846, 
and  an  edition  of  two  thousand  was  printed  of  its  first  number.  It  was  a  small, 
four-page  paper,  five  columns  to  a  page,  the  pages  being  about  fourteen  by  nine 
inches  in  dimensions.  The  title  was  in  large  Old  English  letters,  resembling 
German  text.  All  the  type  was  old  and  worn ;  it  had  done  the  State  some  service. 
Materially  speaking,  this  precocious  infant  looked  like  some  ancient  rural  paper, 
that  had  never  had  any  second  suit  of  type,  had  outlived  all  its  subscribers,  and  took 
its  pay  "  in  trade."  But  it  did  not  talk  so.  It  was  really  the  liveliest  of  the  Boston 
papers,  from  the  first  hour  of  its  birth,  and  was  received  with  generous  encomiums  from 
the  whole  editorial  fraternity.  During  its  first  four  months  (until  January  i,  1847) 
the  first  page  was  chiefly  literary, — about  half  filled  with  stories  and  poems,  written 
wholly  by  the  editor;  the  leader,  on  the  second  page,  and  about  a  column  of 
pungent  paragraphs  were  also  written  by  him;  and  so  also  was  the  "Dramatic 
Bulletin,"  from  one  to  two  columns  more,  which  gave  reports  of  the  doings  at  all 
the  places  of  public  amusement  on  the  preceding  evening.  It  has  been  said,  and 
with  truth,  that  there  was  not  another  daily  paper  of  its  kind  in  the  city  or  country, 
and  there  probably  never  will  be.  For  four  months  the  total  editorial  and  reportorial 
force  consisted  of  only  two  men.  The  editor  received  considerable  aid  in  his  efforts 
to  "fill  up  "the  paper,  however,  by  the  daily  transposition  of  several  columns  of 
non-political  matter  from  the  "  Eagle,"  which  was  conveniently  at  hand,  like  an  old 
tender  to  a  new  locomotive,  with  this  difference,  that,  while  the  tender  furnished 
only  woody  and  watery  stuff,  the  locomotive  got  up  all  its  own  steam  without  help. 
Mr.  Thomas  W.  Tucker  became  connected  with  the  new  paper  in  September,  1846, 
and  acted  as  assistant   editor   and   reporter,  varying   his  duties  as  circumstances 


History  of  the  Herald. 


demanded ;  but  he  was  not  publicly  announced  as  associate  editor  until  the  following 
March.  The  late  Mr.  David  Leavitt,  familiarly  known  in  the  fraternity  as  "Dave,'" 
who  was  employed  as  reporter  and  assistant  in  the  editorial  department  of  the 
"  Eagle,"  worked  for  the  Herald  later.  His  specialty  was  local  news,  of  which  he 
was  a  tireless  and  adroit  collector.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  staff  of  the  Herald 
was,  like  Poor  Pillicoddy,  "  slim  but  desperate,"  the  gentlemen  composing  it  being 
young,  tough,  determined,  and  contented  with  great  promise  and  little  pay. 

The  editorial,  composing,  and  press  rooms  of  the  Herald  were  the  same  as 
those  of  the  "Eagle,"  in  Wilson's  lane.  Six  compositors  only  were  employed, 
several  of  the  proprietors  officiating  in  that  capacity,  while  the  presswork  was 
mostly  done  by  Mr.  French  and  Mr.  Stowers,  both  stockholders  in  the  concern. 
The  first  counting-room  was  at  15  State  street,  where  Frank  (called  by  the  boys 
"Fatty")  Adams  officiated  as  cashier. 

"Running  a  newspaper"  in  Boston  thirty  years  ago  was  a  different  matter 
altogether  from  journalism  at  the  present  day,  as  the  extracts  from  the  Herald  of 
that  time,  quoted  further  on,  will  show.  The  telegraph  was  in  operation  between 
this  city  and  New  York,  it  is  true,  but  the  tolls  were  high,  and  the  dailies  could  not 
afford  to  use  it  to  any  great  extent,  except  on  the  most  important  occasions.  More- 
over, people  had  not  been  educated  up  to  the  point  of  expecting  to  see  reports  of 
events  in  all  parts  of  the  world  printed  on  the  same  day  of  their  occurrence,  or,  at 
the  latest,  on  the  day  following.  Still  there  was  a  great  rivalry  between  the  Boston 
papers,  especially  in  the  matter  of  publishing  foreign  intelligence.  For  several 
years  before  the  extension  of  the  telegraph  overland  to  Nova  Scotia,  the  news- 
gatherers  of  Boston  and  New  York  resorted  to  various  devices  in  order  to  obtain  the 
earliest  advices  from  Europe.  From  1846  to  1850  the  various  revolutionary  move- 
ments in  many  of  the  countries  on  that  continent  were  of  a  nature  to  be  especially 
interesting  to  the  people  of  the  United  States,  inasmuch  as  such  struggles  were 
regarded  as  indicating  a  sure  progress  among  the  "effete  despotisms"  towards 
republicanism.  This  stimulated  enterprise,  and  Mr.  D.  H.  Craig,  afterwards  known 
widely  as  agent  of  the  Associated  Press,  conceived  the  design  of  anticipating  the 
news  of  each  steamer  by  a  kind  of  pigeon  express. 

With  this  design  he  procured  a  number  of  African  carrier-pigeons,  and  kept 
them  at  his  house  in  Roxbury  until  they  became  thoroughly  domesticated.  Several 
days  before  the  expected  arrival  of  an  English  mail  steamer  he  would  take  three  of 
them  to  Halifax,  where  he  would  board  the  vessel,  procure  the  latest  British  papers, 
and  take  passage  in  her  for  Boston.  During  the  trip  he  would  write  a  summary  of 
the  most  important  and  interesting  European  intelligence,  upon  thin  "manifold" 
paper.  When  the  steamer  came  within  fifty  miles  of  land,  he  would  secure  the 
despatches  to  the  three  pigeons,  and  liberate  them.  They  would  then  fly  home- 
wards, generally  reaching  Boston  several  hours  before  the  arrival  of  the  steamer. 
Mr.  W.  G.  Blanchard,  to  whom  the  news  thus  obtained  was  immediately  sent,  —  and 


6  History  of  the  Herald. 

who  was  then  on  the  "Daily  Mail,"  —  would  have  it  at  once  put  into  type,  and 
printed  in  the  shape  of  an  extra.  The  other  Boston  papers,  the  proprietors  of 
which  paid  for  the  news,  were  also  furnished  with  it  at  the  same  time.  When  the 
"Mail"  extra  was  printed,  the  heading  "New  York  Herald  Extra"  was  put  over  it, 
and  a  large  number  of  copies  printed.  These  were  at  once  forwarded  to  New  York, 
by  way  of  the  Sound  steamers,  and,  on  arrival,  were  put  upon  the  street  by  Mr. 
James  Gordon  Bennett.  The  proprietors  of  the  "  New  York  Sun,"  however,  were 
determined  not  to  be  outdone  in  this  way,  and,  in  order  to  have  the  news  as  early  as 
Mr.  Bennett,  put  type  and  cases  and  printers  on  board  the  Sound  steamers,  and,  in 
this  way,  had  also  its  news  on  their  arrival  in  New  York.  Mr.  Bennett  then  outbid 
the  others  with  Mr.  Craig,  offering  him  five  hundred  dollars  an  hour  for  every  hour 
that  he  could  furnish  the  news  ahead  of  rival  New  York  papers.  This,  no  doubt,  had 
some  tendency  to  increase  the  intensity  of  a  bitter  feeling  that  had  sprung  up  in 
Boston  against  the  New  Yorkers  having  the  news  so  promptly  furnished  them  by 
means  of  the  pigeon  express.  So  hotly  waxed  the  feud  that  representations  were 
made  to  the  captain  of  one  of  the  British  steamers  that  the  despatches  sent  by  Mr. 
Craig,  with  his  pigeons,  were  used  by  New  York  parties  to  aftect  the  stock  market, 
and  operate  against  the  interests  of  Boston.  This  captain,  believing,  no  doubt,  in 
these  representations,  attempted  to  defeat  the  enterprise,  and  caused,  as  it  was 
supposed,  the  pigeons  that  Mr.  Craig  liberated  on  one  occasion  to  be  shot.  The 
weather  was  hazy,  and  the  first  pigeon  thrown  up  was  killed  while  circling  around 
the  ship  before  deciding  to  start.  Another  was  thrown  up,  and  shared  the  same 
fate.  Mr.  Craig  then  went  below  into  his  state-room,  and  threw  the  only  remaining 
pigeon  out  of  a  port-hole,  as  far  as  he  could,  and  had  the  satisfaction  to  know  that 
it  got  away  unobserved.  It  reached  its  destination  in  safety,  and  the  news  appeared 
in  the  streets  of  Boston  before  the  steamer  got  to  her  moorings.  During  the  year 
of  the  Irish  rebellion  this  pigeon  express  was  looked  for  with  unusual  interest,  and 
the  news  brought  by  it  made  the  papers  sell  like  hot  cakes. 

"  Steamer  Nights,"  as  they  were  called,  on  account  of  the  arrival  of  steamers 
from  Europe  with  several  days'  later  news  than  had  already  been  published,  were  the 
especial  aversion  of  editors  and  reporters,  and  at  once  the  dread  and  pleasurable 
anticipation  of  compositors.  The  former  had  sometimes  to  wait  into  the  morning 
before  the  papers  from  the  steamer,  which  had  been  signalled  below  before  dark, 
were  delivered.  Then  they  had  to  go  over  them,  pick  out  and  collate  the  latest  and 
most  interesting  items  of  news,  and  put  them  in  shape  for  the  printers.  Sometimes 
the  news  would  be  quite  important,  and  at  others  flat,  stale,  and  unprofitable.  The 
interesting  news  could  be  easily  arranged  and  put  into  shape,  under  long  and  often 
elaborate  headings,  which  sometimes  gave  more  information  than  was  contained  in 
the  matter  thus  heralded.  But  when  the  news  was  barren,  it  was  a  puzzle  how  to 
write  headings,  and  what  to  put  in  them  to  catch  the  eye  of  the  general  reader.  In 
such  cases  resort  was  usually  had  to  vague  and  startling  phrases,  such  as  "  Antici- 


History  of  the  Herald. 


pated  Outbreak  in  India,"  which  had  no  foundation  except  the  statement  that  the 
"  ryots  (laborers)  were  gathering  in  the  indigo  crop,  which  had,  in  some  districts, 
been  largely  destroyed,"  etc.,  etc.,  the  editor,  of  course,  mistaking  "ryots"  for 
"riots,"  and  clapping  on  a  line  to  some  such  effect  as  that  given.  The  waiting  for 
the  papers  was  often  long  and  tedious,  and  various  devices  were  resorted  to  to  kill 
time.  In  those  days  —  thirty  years  ago  and  upwards  —  drinking  was  a  very  much 
more  common  amusement,  among  newspaper  men,  than  it  is  to-day ;  and,  as  liquor 
was  cheap  and  good,  and  saloon-keepers  accommodating,  resort  was  often  had  to 
some  "tavern"  near  the  office,  where  the  time  was  passed  in  playing  dominos,  or 
other  games,  and  drinking  Santa  Cruz  rum  and  molasses,  Scotch  or  Irish  whiskey 
(Bourbon  was  then  little  known  or  used),  in  the  form  of  hot  punches;  or  ale  (lager 
beer  bei*ng  likewise  almost  unknown)  ;  it  being  arranged  that  a  messenger  from  the 
office  should  at  once  apprise  them  of  the  arrival  of  the  papers,  when  they  would 
hasten  to  their  desks,  grumbling  and  damning  everything,  foreign  news  in 
particular.  The  printers,  as  a  rule,  liked  steamer  nights,  though  they  dreaded  a 
heavy  "grist"  of  copy  to  set.  The  later  the  news  came  in,  the  better  it  was  for 
them,  because  for  every  hour  they  waited  they  were  paid  at  the  same  rate  as  for 
composition,  allowing  one  thousand  ems  to  the  hour.  If,  however,  there  was  any 
copy  of  a  general  character  to  set  up,  it  was  given  out,  and  put  into  type  during 
"  waiting  time,"  much  to  the  disgust  of  the  printers.  But,  as  a  rule,  such  copy  was 
"rushed  up,"  and  every  printer  had  several  hours'  waiting  to  score  up  against  the 
office  on  steamer  nights.  This  was,  no  doubt,  the  origin  of  the  usage  which  has  so 
long  prevailed,  and  is  still  in  force,  of  charging  for  time  spent  by  the  printer  in 
waiting  for  copy.  Sometimes,  for  economy,  the  printers  would  be  allowed  to  go  to 
their  homes  after  all  local  matters  had  been  put  in  type  on  a  steamer  night;  the 
understanding  being  that  they  would  be  called  up  if  the  papers  were  received  in 
time  to  use  the  news  in  the  morning  edition.  When  they  were  thus  called,  they 
were  usually  allowed  one  dollar  extra  for  leaving  their  beds ;  an  arrangement  which 
pleased  many  of  them  best,  though  the  majority  preferred  waiting,  as  it  gave  them 
an  opportunity  to  follow  the  example  of  their  editorial  co?ifreres  and  indulge  in 
dominos,  poker,  hot  Scotch,  or  in  "jeffing"  for  coppers,  —  "jeffing"  being  a  kind 
of  "prop"  game,  em  quads  being  used,  and  those  turning  up  the  larger  number  of 
"nicks"  being  the  winners.  Steamer  nights  were  the  best  nights  for  printers  to 
enlarge  their  weekly  bills,  these  usually  returning  them  more  than  double  the 
amounts  realized  on  other  nights,  and  enabling  them  to  hire  "subs"  (men  to  take 
their  places)  on  the  following  days.  But  gone  are  steamer  nights,  with  their 
pastimes  and  camphene  lights,  their  startling  news  from  abroad,  and  hot  Scotches  at 
home.  The  Atlantic  cable  has  put  them  out  of  existence,  and  now  only  the  most 
extraordinary  occurrences  call  for  a  stay  of  editors  and  printers  on  morning  papers 
beyond  the  usual  late  hours. 

It  was  customary  in  the  early  days  of  tha  Herald,  and  for  many  years  after. 


History  of  the  Herald, 


for  newspapers  to  take  pay  "in  kind,"  from  advertising  patrons.  In  the  case  of 
grocers,  provision  dealers,  tailors,  dry  goods  and  clothing  dealers,  this  was,  of 
course,  easy  to  manage,  for  the  proprietors  could  obtain  food  and  raiment  in  return 
for  the  use  of  their  columns,  and  could  also  make  arrangements  to  pay  employes  in 
the  same  manner.  But  when  it  came  to  taking  patent  medicines  for  advertising, 
there  was  a  difficulty  to  be  overcome.  To  swallow  the  doses  would  be  to  invite 
death,  perhaps,  and  it  was  not  always  easy  to  sell  the  stuff;  so  a  large  amount  of  it 
was  frequently  accumulated  before  it  could  be  disposed  of.  Some  amusing  stories 
are  told  by  old  "typos"  of  the  troubles  of  this  sort  which  afflicted  the  early 
proprietors  of  the  Herald.  Sometimes  the  cash  would  run  short  on  pay-day,  and 
the  cashier  would  say,  "  Hold  on,  boys,  till  I  run  out  an^d  sell  another  gross  of 
sarsaparilla !  "  And  the  boys  would  patiently  "  hold  on"  until  he  had  disposed  of  a 
lot  of  the  "  infallible,"  at  reduced  rates,  to  some  neighboring  apothecary.  Mr. 
French  at  one  time  kept  in  the  Herald  counting-room  for  sale  a  large  assortment 
of  patent  medicines  and  periodicals,  mostly  obtained  in  this  way,  there  being  no 
other  method  of  getting  any  pay  for  a  number  of  advertising  bills  of  long  standing. 


3>K< 


II. 

THE   HERALD   IN    1847. 

AN    IMPROVEMENT    AND    ENLARGEMENT.  —  A    MORNING    EDITION    ADDED,    AND     THE 

EDITORIAL      STAFF      INCREASED.  —  THE      FEATURES     OF     THE     NEW     SHEET.  — 

PROMISES     FOR     THE     FUTURE,    AND     HOW     THEY     WERE    KEPT.  —  CHANGES    IN 

PROPRIETORS    AND  EDITORS.  —  CHARACTERISTIC  LEADER  WRITING.  —  INCREASE 

,   IN   ENTERPRISE    AND    CIRCULATION. 

The  Herald,  feeble  as  it  was  in  many  respects  at  first,  managed  to  struggle 
through  the  financial  diseases  incident  to  newspaper  infancy  so  stoutly,  that,  at  the 
opening  of  1847,  the  proprietors  were  enabled  to  give  it  and  the  "  Eagle  "  a  New  Year's 
dress  of  new  type,  to  increase  its  size,  and  to  come  out  with  a  Morning,  Evening, 
and  Weekly  Herald.  The  paper  enlarged  (its  pages  then  containing  seven  col- 
umns, and  measuring  21  X  17  inches)  and  in  its  fresh  dress,  and  printed  on  a  new 
Adams  press,  presented  a  remarkable  contrast  to  its  predecessor.  The  quaint  and 
top-heavy  head  was  replaced  by  one  much  smaller,  in  plain  Roman  letters ;  the 
advertisements  were- reset  in  a  neat  and  business-like  style,  which  was  a  vast  improve- 
ment over  the  " poster "  fashion  it  succeeded;   and  the  captions  pver  the  reading 


History  of  the  Herald. 


matter  were  in  "  full-face  caps,"  and  "  lower-case,"  far  more  tasteful  than  the  clumsy 
type  previously  used.  The  leader  of  the  first  issue  of  the  renovated  Herald  was 
headed  "  Our  New  Paper,"  and  opened  in  this  wise  :  — 

"In  making  our  bow  to  the  public  we  suppose  we  shall  be  called  upon  to 
announce  the  reasons  which  have  induced  us  to  add  another  daily  sheet  to  the  num- 
ber at  present  established  in  Boston.  Since  the  publication  of  newspapers  in  a 
cheap  and  compact  form,  the  demands  of  the  reading  public  have  increased  in  a 
ratio  which  puts  all  comparison  at  defiance.  The  newspaper  is  not  now,  as  formerly, 
the  dictator  of  the  people.  It  possesses,  however,  an  influence  more  favorable  to 
the  progress  of  the  community  than  was  exerted  when  the  dicta  of  a  single  editor  in 
a  town  or  city  was  the  popular  tribunal  from  which  there  was  no  appeal.  The  day 
when  a  staid  and  solemn  article,  originating  in  presumption  and  sustained  by  arro- 
gance, could  overawe  the  people,  has  passed.  The  competition  of  the  penny  press 
has  caused  a  mental  activity  among  all  classes ;  rash  and  impulsive  it  may  be,  but, 
nevertheless,  far  preferable  to  the  dignified  stagnation  which,  in  times  of  yore,  was 
seldom  broken  by  the  larger  and  more  expensive  journals. 

"It  is  our  purpose  to  establish  a  journal  which  shall  be  truly  independent  — 
pledged  to  no  religious  sect  or  political  party — always  ready  to  rebuke  both  spiritual 
and  political  wickedness  in  high  places,  and  call  the  servants  of  the  public  to  an 
account  whenever  they  abuse  the  trusts  committed  to  their  care.  At  the  same  time 
we  shall  endeavor  to  judge  impartially  of  all  matters  which  shall  come  under  our 
cognizance ;  and  in  no  case  shall  we  second  the  clamors  of  those  who  would  injure 
a  faithful  public  servant,  or  who  would  urge  the  people  to  the  adoption  of  any 
measure  incompatible  with  the  general  welfare. 

"In  the  present  organization  of  political  parties,  no  really  independent  man  can 
become  a  partisan  without  being  required  to  sacrifice  his  opinions  upon  the  altar  of 
expediency;  and  so  much  unfairness  is  perceived  among  those  who  assume  the 
political  direction  of  the  people,  that  a  journal  is  absolutely  required  which  will 
expose  the  corrupt  practices  of  those  who,  under  the  guise  of  patriotism,  would 
make  the  general  good  subservient  to  their  sinister  intentions.  In  politics  we  shall 
be  firm  and  consistent.  We  shall  endeavor  to  review  impartially  the  conduct  of  the 
leaders  of  the  parties  into  which  our  political  arena  is  subdivided.  Our  opinions 
shall  be  frankly  given ;  and,  in  our  comments  upon  the  acts  of  those  in  power,  we 
shall  be  governed  by  an  earnest  wish  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  the  com- 
munity. .  Faithful  representatives  of  the  people  will  have  nothing  to  fear  from  our 
pen,  while  nothing  shall  protect  those  who  are  unfaithful  from  our  strictures. 

"While  our  best  eiForts  wiH  be  made  to  supply  the  want  indicated  in  what  we 
have  already  stated,  our  journal  shall  take  proper  notice  of  all  subjects  which  attract 
the  attention  of  the  community.  As  a  local  paper  we  mean  to  take  the  highest 
stand.  Everything  that  occurs  in  our  city  and  vicinity  shall  be  promptly  and  fairly 
recorded,  and  those  who  are  engaged  in  these  matters  are  fully  competent  to  do 


10  History  of  the  Herald. 

justice  to  the  task  they  have  undertaken.  .  .  .  Our  paper  will  be  open  to 
communications  from  our  friends  and  the  public;  and  we  intend  to  keep  a  journal 
through  which  every  one  who  has  anj^thing  to  say  can  be  heard ;  candor,  fairness, 
and  truth  being  the  only  qualities  we  shall  require  in  our  correspondents. 

"We  have  made  such' arrangements  with  the  Magnetic  Telegraph  that  our 
paper  will  give,  each  morning,  the  news  which  shall  arrive  previous  to  the  preced- 
ing midnight,  and  in  this  respect  every  caution  will  be  taken  to  insure  perfect 
accuracy. 

"  In  a  word,  we  mean  to  supply  the  demand  for  a  thoroughly  independent 
journal,  which  shall  preserve  the  even  tenor  of  its  way,  '  unawed  by  influence,  and 
unbribed  by  gain,'  and  hope  to  receive,  as  we  shall  attempt  to  merit,  the  sanction 
and  approval  of  the  reading  public.  Here,  then,  we  submit  our  enterprise,  feeling 
that  if  success  attends  us  in  the  degree  which  we  shall  endeavor  to  merit,  our 
success  will  be  certain ;  and,  whatever  may  be  the  result,  we  shall  maintain  a  manly, 
independent,  and  consistent  course  in  our  observations  upon  the  topics  which  we 
may  be  called  upon  to  discuss." 

In  another  article  addressed  "  To  our  readers,"  the  editor  said  :  — 

"  With  good  type,  good  paper,  a  good  press,  independence,  honest  industry, 
and  equally  good  facilities  for  obtaining  news  with  any  other  paper  in  the  city,  we 
believe  we  stand  a  good  chance  to  succeed  in  business.  There  is  nothing  like 
trying!  .  .  .  With  us  there  is  no  night  now;  farewell  to  slumber  and  darkness! 
Business  is  business,  and  midnight  oil  must  be  consumed  in  large  quantities. 
Reader!  always  depend  upon  the  Herald  for  as  late  news  as  can  be  obtained  in 
the  city.  What  comes  in  the  night  you  will  have  in  the  Morning,  and  what  comes 
during  the  day  you  shall  have  in  the  Evening  Herald,  as  regularly  as  the  sun 
and  moon  follow  each  other.  The  Weekly  Herald  will  contain  all  the  most 
important  news  of  the  week;  it  will  be  a  ticws  paper  in  the  true  sense  of  the  word." 

The  Evening  Herald  of  the  same  day  contained  a  greeting  to  its  patrons, 
which  went  over  the  same  ground  as  the  above-quoted  articles,  and  was  concluded 
thus  :  — 

"We  hope,  by  unflagging  perseverance  and  ambition,  to  receive  a  continuance 
of  public  favor  extended  to  us  when  we  less  merited  it  than  at  present.  We  neither 
demand  nor  claim  support.  Bring  on  your  red  cent  or  keep  it  in  your  pocket. 
'  Every  man  hath  business  and  desires,'  Hamlet  says,  and  every  one  to  his  taste. 
We  prefer,  however,  that  the  taste  should  incline  our  way.  One  cent  is  not  much, 
but  it  is  the  foundation  of  a  fortune ;  when  the  fortune  is  made  you  may  despise  the 
cent;  till  then,  look  upon  it  as  a  friendly,  copper-skinned  son  of  a  dollar,  which  will 
buy  you  a  crust  of  bread  when  dignity  would  starve  you  to  death." 

The  new  paper  became  more  popular  than  ever  with  the  reading  public,  and  the 
evidences  of  its  prosperity  were  kindly  noticed  by  the  other  Boston  newspapers. 


History  of  the  Herald.  11 


Here  are  two  specimens  of  friendly  mention  of  the  Herald,  in  its  new  dress  and 
enlarged  form  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  1847  '•  — 

'•The  Bostox  Herald,  which  has  for  some  time  been  published  as  an  even- 
ing paper,  appeared  yesterday  as  a  morning  paper,  enlarged  and  with  new  type. 
It  looks  remarkably  well,  and  is  conducted  with  energy  and  spirit.  We  can  say  the 
same  of  the  'Eagle,'  whose  size  and  appearance  are  also  greatly  improved,  and 
which  is  as  exclusively  American  as  ever."  —  Boston  Post,  Jan.  2. 

"The  Herald,  a  very  clever  evening  contemporary,  has  enlarged  its  borders 
and  put  on  a  new  and  handsome  dress.  It  has  also  become  a  morning  as  well  as  an 
evening  paper,  and  has  thus  doubled  its  means  of  usefulness.  Our  New  Year's 
wish  is  that  it  may  double  its  subscription  likewise."  —  Boston  Journal,  Jan.  2. 

Mr.  Eaton  continued  in  charge  of  the  evening  edition,  while  the  new  morning 
edition  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  George  W.  Tyler.  The  Herald,  under  this 
joint  management,  presented  to  its  readers  from  eight  to  ten  columns  of  reading 
matter  daily,  though  frequently  it  contained  as  many  as  twelve  or  fifteen  when 
important  local  events  demanded  an  unusual  amount  of  space.  Two  columns  of 
editorials,  four  of  "Town  Talk,"  and  two  of  clippings  from  the  exchanges,  were 
about  the  average.  News  by  telegraph  was  not  plenty,  and  very  little  of  it  was 
printed  during  the  first  year  of  the  Herald's  existence.  The  evening  edition  Avas 
a  reprint  of  the  morning  issue,  with  from  two  to  four  columns  of  fresh  matter  on 
the  third  page,  and  this  was  carried  over  to  the  next  morning  under  the  head, 
"  From  our  Evening  Edition  of  Yesterday."  Notwithstanding  its  meagre  facilities 
for  obtaining  news  outside  the  city,  the  Herald  was  a  live  and  lively  paper,  and 
published  nothing  but  live  matter.  Much  prominence  was  given  to  reports  of  afiairs 
about  home,  and  in  consequence  the  circulation  soon  exhibited  a  marked  improve- 
ment.    On  January  12  the  following  good-natured  "brag"  was  indulged  in  :  — 

"As  it  is  customary  among  us  penny  papers  to  exult  when  we  do  anything  to 
brag  of,  we  think  it  but  a  reasonable  compliance  with  the  established  rule  to  say 
that  we.  gave  the  only  report  of  Parker^s  Opening  Address  to  the  Jury,  yesterday, 
in  the  case  of  Albert  J.  TirrelVs  trial  for  arson.  Of  a  large  edition  of  between 
seven  thousand  and  eight  thousand  we  have  but  few,  if  any,  copies  left  on  our 
counter;  and  they,  if  they  remain,  linger  behind  but  to  show  what  an  extent  of 
business  was  done,  and  as  monumental  memorials  of  the  reward  of  merit." 

On  the  13th  of  January  the  Herald  beat  the  newspapers  in  another  field,  and 
thus  exulted  over  it :  — 

"  In  getting  out  the  Governor's  message  yesterday,  we  had  the  satisfaction  of 
coming  out  ahead  of  our  contemporaries.  The  public  had  the  earliest  report  of  the 
document  from  the  Herald  office.  We  say  this  intending  no  disparagement  to  our 
neighbors,  —  their  enterprise  is  undoubted,  —  but  in  justice  to  ourselves,  and  to  show 
that  some  things  can  be  done  as  well  as  others." 

On  January  21  one  of  the  largest  fires  which  (with,  of  course,  the  exception  of 


12  History  of  the  Herald. 

the  great  fire  of  1872)  ever  occurred  in  Boston,  consumed  an  immense  amount  of 
property  at  the  North  End.  It  began  in  Haverhill  street,  and  swept  over  the  area 
bounded  bj  that,  Travers,  Causeway,  and  Charlestown  streets.  More  than  one 
hundred  buildings  were  reduced  to  ashes,  and  nearly  as  many  families  were  ren- 
dered homeless.  "Dave"  Leavitt  on  this  occasion  performed  a  feat  which  has 
since  been  handed  down  in  traditions  of  Boston  journalism  as  a  shining  example  to 
his  successors  in  the  reportorial  field.  He  was  promptly  on  the  spot,  and  fore- 
seeing, from  the  direction  of  the  wind,  the  fury  of  the  conflagration,  and  the  nature 
of  the  buildings  in  the  vicinity  that  they  were  doomed,  though  as  yet  untouched  by 
the  flames,  he  visited  many  of  them,  and  obtained  the  numbers,  names  of  occu- 
pants and  owners,  etc.,  and  had  them  all  jotted  down  in  his  capacious  note-book, 
long  before  many  of  the  occupants  imagined  they  were  in  danger.  And,  on  the 
following  morning,  after  the  destroying  angel  had  consigned  the  wide  district  to 
ashes,  our  recording  angel  astonished  the  city  by  publishing  in  the  Herald  a  four- 
column  report  of  the  fire,  as  remarkable  for  its  accuracy  as  its  fulness ;  while  the 
reports  in  the  other  papers  were  necessarily  meagre  and  erroneous,  not  having  been 
prepared  till  after  the  majority  of  the  buildings  had  been  destroyed.  This  coup  de 
feu  stamped  "Dave"  as  a  first-class  news-gatherer,  and  he  sustained  the  reputation 
till  the  day  of  his  death,  some  three  years  ago.  Leavitt's  enterprise  enabled  the 
Herald  to  crow  over  its  contemporaries  in  this  style :  — 

"We  are  safe  in  saying  that  the  morning  edition  of  the  Herald  contained  the 
fullest  and  most  particular  account  of  this  calamity  of  any  of  the  morning  papers, 
not  excepting  the  regular  *  six-pennies ! '  We  are  yet  in  our  infancy,  but  have 
learned  to  keep  late  hours,  and  our  patrons  and  the  public  generally  are  assured 
that,  while  they  are  quietly  reposing  in  the  arms  of  Morpheus,  our  corps  of  news- 
collectors  are  on  the  alert,  and  will  frequently  be  enabled  to  furnish  a  budget  of  news 
early  in  the  morning  which  will  not  be  forthcoming  in  any  other  paper  until  their 
'  second  editions '  are  issued,  or  until  the  following  morning.  We  are  not  disposed 
to  crow,  but  '  Brag  is  a  good  dog,'  when  '  Holdfast'  is  with  him." 

This  was  rapidly  followed  by  other  "  exclusives."  Such  enterprise  naturally 
made  the  paper  popular,  and,  on  the  nth,  it  remarked  editorially:  — 

"The  Herald,  although  but  recently  started,  has  already  established  its 
reputation  as  tJie  paper  for  early  news,  interesting  local  matter,  etc.  During  a  few 
days  past  the  morning  and  evening  editions  have  been  exhausted  within  an  hour 
from  the  time  they  left  the  press.  Yesterday  afternoon  we  were  unable  to  supply 
the  demand,  having  disposed  of  nearly  five  thousand  copies  beyond  the  regular 
evening  edition." 

On  February  10  the  name  of  George  W.  Tyler  appeared  at  the  head  of  the  edito- 
rial column,  and  the  public  were  informed  that  Mr.  Eaton  had  severed  his  connection 
with  the  paper.  As  has  been  before  stated,  the  proprietors  adopted  the  plan,  at  the 
opening  of  the  year,  of  having  the  morning  and  evening  editions  separately  edited. 


Histofy  of  the  Herald,  13 

the  latter  bj  Mr.  Eaton  and  the  former  bj  Mr.  Tyler.  Mr.  Eaton  had  a  leaning 
toward  the  Democracj',  as  it  existed  thirty  years  ago,  and  Mr.  Tyler  was  a  Whig. 
Each  freely  expressed  his  political  views  editorially,  so  that  the  combined  editions 
of  each  day  showed  two  faces  under  one  hood,  — Whig  in  the  morning,  Democrat  in 
the  evening,  —  and  the  proprietors  supposed  that  a  double-jointed  paper  like  this 
ought  to  suit  everybody.  But  it  didn't.  Mr.  Eaton  complained  of  the  inconsistency 
and  the  apparent  injustice  of  permitting  a  new-comer  thus  to  alter  the  tone  of  a 
paper  which  had  become  so  early  popular  under  his  exclusive  editorial  management 
and  his  unusual  exertions  as  a  writer.  The  result  was,  that,  as  the  proprietors 
would  not  yield,  declaring  that  they  alone  were  responsible  for  the  double  tone  of 
the  paper,  Mr.  Eaton  felt  aggrieved,  and  withdrew.  Since  his  retirement,  thirty 
years  ago,  he  has  been  connected,  as  editor  or  author,  with  leading  literary  or 
commercial  publications  in  Boston  and  New  York,  and  for  about  twenty  years  has 
been  chiefly  resident  in  the  latter  city. 

Mr.  Tyler,  while  nominally  holding  the  position  of  editor-in-chief,  in  reality  did 
little  else  than  write  the  leaders,  and  made  his  head-quarters,  not  in  the  oflice,  but 
at  his  room  in  the  old  Exchange  Coffee  House. 

From  January  i,  1847,  "P  to  the  date  of  Mr.  Eaton's  resignation,  the  names  of 
the  publishers  had  not  appeared,  the  announcement,  "William  O.  Eaton,  Editor," 
in  the  date  line,  under  the  head,  being  the  only  indication  of  personality  about  the 
paper.  When  he  withdrew,  however,  a  card  appeared,  signed  "John  A.  French  & 
Co.,  Publishers  and  Proprietors,"  in  which  it  was  stated  :  — 

"The  Herald  will  be  hereafter,  as  it  was  originally  intended,  Independent. 
It  is  pledged  to  no  political  party.  Whenever  any  political  ineasure  is  projected,  it 
will  be  fairly  and  justly  commented  upon,  without  regard  to  the  party  from  which  it 
emanates.  At  the  same  time,  knowing,  as  we  do,  the  general  political  views  of  the 
present  editor  of  the  Herald,  we  have  no  desire  to  interfere  with  his  productions, 
and  we  believe  they  will  be  satisfactory  to  the  mass  of  the  people." 

Mr.  French  had,  it  seems,  bought  out  the  original  proprietors,  one  by  one,  and 
at  this  time  owned  the  Herald,  with  the  exception  of  one  share,  the  "&  Co." 
attached  to  his  name  being  merely  to  include  that.  He  gave  his  sole  personal 
attention  to  the  paper,  and  did  not  disdain  to  perform  ofllices  which  few  citv  news- 
paper proprietors  of  the  present  day  would  attempt.  For  a  long  time  he  did  all  his 
presswork,  and  frequently  tried  his  hand  at  reporting.  On  February  14  the  publica- 
tion office  was  reinoved  to  more  spacious  quarters,  and  the  press  was  thereafter  run  by 
steam  power,  rented  from  a  neighboring  manufacturing  establishment.  On  March  i 
Mr.  James  D.  Stowers  of  South  Boston,  one  of  the  original  proprietors,  who  had 
sold  out  to  Mr.  French,  repurchased  an  interest,  investing  several  thousand  dollars, 
and  "French  &  Stowers,  Publishers,"  appeared  at  the  head  of  the  paper.  On  the 
same  day  they  took  a  step  which  had  been  for  some  time  contemplated,  and  issued 
a  second  morning  edition  at  eight  o'clock,  in  which  the  news  received  through  the 


14  History  of  the  Herald. 

early  morning  mails  was  published.  On  March  2  the  evening  edition  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  fourth  page  of  the  paper,  under  a  heavy  head,  and  was  placed  in  charge 
of  Mr.  Thomas  W.  Tucker,  who,  though  for  some  time  connected  with  the  Herald, 
had  not  until  this  time  been  "officially  recognized"  by  the  publication  of  his  name 
over  the  edition  he  controlled.  This  edition  was  then  published  at  two  P.M.  (going 
to  press  about  noon),  and  contained  most  of  the  city  news,  while  the  morning  issue 
was  devoted  to  outside  intelligence  and  editorial  matter.  The  difficulty  of  getting 
news  from  other  States  was  illustrated  on  March  10,  when  the  vote  in  only  ten 
towns  in  New  Hampshire  at  the  State  election  was  reported  in  the  morning  edition. 
Nowadays,  if  as  many  as  ten  towns  are  not  heard  from  on  such  an  occasion,  the 
omission  is  commented  upon.  But  local  matters  were  well  and  fully  reported,  under 
Messrs.  Tj'ler  and  Tucker'^  management,  columns  having  been  devoted  to  such 
events  as  the  great  Irish  relief  meeting  in  Faneuil  Hall,  the  presentation  of  a  sword 
to  Caleb  Gushing  on  his  departure  for  Mexico,  a  grand  ball  in  aid  of  volunteers  for 
the  Mexican  war,  etc.  News  from  the  war  was  slow  in  reaching  Boston,  and  was 
nearly  all  obtained  from  files  of  New  Orleans  papers.  Thus  the  intelligence  of  the 
investment  and  battle  of  Vera  Cruz  on  March  7-9  was  not  received  here  until  April 
I,  and,  even  then,  was  supposed  by  many  to  be  an  "  April-fool "  joke  of  the  papers 
which  published  it,  as  was  also  the  case  with  news  of  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista, 
fought  on  March  9,  and  reported  at  the  same  time  with  the  first-named  event.  The 
Herald,  however,  kept  pace  with  its  competitors  on  war  news,  and  published  plans 
of  the  -Mexican  battle-fields  and  cities,  views  of  Vera  Cruz,  the  city  of  Mexico,  etc., 
as  well  as  portraits  of  Generals  Taylor,  Scott,  and  other  distingushed  officers  engaged 
in  the  campaign.  The  public  appreciated  the  enterprise  shown,  as  is  evinced  by  the 
following  from  the  Herald  of  March  26 :  — 

"Probably  no  paper  ever  started  in  this  city  has  met  with  such  a  rapid  increase 
in  circulation  as  The  Boston  Herald.  We  have  daily,  for  the  past  fortnight,  added 
largely  to  our  regular  morning  and  evening  editions,  but  have  been  wholly  unable 
to  supply  the  demand  so  constantly  increasing.  Our  circulation  has  more  than 
doubled  within  the  last  three  weeks,  and  we  are  in  hopes  shortly  to  rival,  at  least, 
those  papers  which  have  for  a  long  time  been  established  in  the  good  graces  of  the 
public.  We  feel  truly  grateful  for  the  unprecedented  patronage  bestowed  upon  us, 
and  no  exertions  on  our  part  shall  be  spared  to  make  the  Herald  one  of  the  best 
business  papers  in  the  country.  We  mean  to  keep  '  posted  up '  on  news  of  every 
description,  and  the  Herald  will  never  be  found  in  the  rear  of  its  contemporaries." 

On  March  28  a  statement  of  the  circulation  during  the  week  ending  that  day 
showed  a  total  of  seventeen  thousand  one  hundred  copies  of  the  first  edition,  thirteen 
thousand  two  hundred  of  the  second,  and  thirty-seven  thousand  three  hundred  and 
twenty  of  the  third,  an  aggregate  of  sixty-seven  thousand  six  hundred  and  twenty, 
and  a  daily  average  of  eleven  thousand  two  hundred  and  seventy.  "  It  will  be 
seen,"  said  the  editor,    '*  that  our  circulation   has   increased  in  a  manner  wholly 


History  of  the  Herald.  15 

unprecedented  in  the  history  of  Boston  newspapers.  Our  advertising,  too,  will 
bear  favorable  comparison  with  that  of  any  other  penny  paper  published  in  the  city. 
We  are  happy  to  perceive  by  these  unmistakable  demonstrations  of  public  favor  that 
our  efforts  to  furnish  the  community  with  the  earliest  information  on  all  subjects 
connected  with  the  prosperity  of  our  citizens  and  countrymen  generally,  are  justly 
appreciated  and  rewarded." 

On  the  30th  of  March  the  counting-room  was  removed  to  No.  12  State  street, 
nearly  opposite  its  former  location. 

On  April  19  a  description  was  published  of  a  "wonderful  printing-press,  on  a 
new  principle,  the  contrivance  of  Richard  M.  Hoe,  Esq.,  capable  of  printing  from 
ten  thousand  to  twelve  thousand  impressions  per  hour,"  a  rate  of  speed  which  was 
considered  marvellous  in  those  days,  —  and  that  was  not  so  long  ago,  either. 

On  April  26  a  new  head  appeared  on  the  paper,  the  type  being  plain  Roman,  of 
the  same  style,  but  much  smaller  than  that  which  it  superseded,  and  even  less  in 
size  than  that  which  appears  on  the  first  page  of  the  present  issue.  It  was  selected 
by  Messrs.  French  and  Tucker,  to  resemble,  as  nearly  as  possible,  the  head  of  the 
"New  York  Herald." 

April  27  (the  day  the  corner-stone  of  the  Boston  Athenaeum  was  laid  (Messrs. 
French  and  Stowers  sold  out  their  interest  in  the  "American  Eagle,"  which  had  for 
some  months  previously  been  edited  by  Rev.  Charles  W.  Denison,  the  latter  beifig 
recompensed  for  his  services  by  composition  and  presswork  on  his  own  paper,  the 
"Bower."  The  "Eagle"  lingered  on  but  a  short  time  after  this,  and  died  on 
May  19,  its  few  remaining  subscribers  receiving  the  Herald  in  its  stead,  and 
unexpired  contracts  for  advertising  being  fulfilled  in  the  Herald. 

Of  the  original  proprietors  of  the  "Eagle,"  Albert  Baker  was  the  oldest,  and 
was  a  compositor  on  the  Herald  till  his  death.  George  W.  Harmon  is  still  at  the 
case  in  Springfield,  Mass.  A.  A.  Wallace  became  an  assistant  editor  of  the  Herald 
and  afterwards  of' the  "Ledger,"  and  died  many  years  since.  George  Munroe 
became  incurably  lame,  and  did  not  long  survive  the  "  Eagle."  Amos  Clapp 
remained  long  at  the  case,  and  for  some  years  has  been  the  faithful  janitor  of  the 
"Journal"  building.  James  D.  Stowers  was  for  years  the  chief  pressman  of  the 
"  Eagle"  and  the  Herald,  and  still  lives.  George  H.  Campbell  became  a  reporter, 
went  to  California,  was  there  made  a  judge,  returned  to  Boston  for  a  short  time, 
and,  on  his  way  to  California  again,  died  in  Mexico  of  yellow  fever.  Justin  Andrews 
joined  the  "  Times  "  staff",  then  became  connected  with  the  Herald,  as  one  of  its 
editors,  and  subsequently  was  one  of  its  proprietors,  as  will  be  seen  farther  on. 

Of  the  earliest  compositors  on  the  Evening  Herald,  when  in  Wilson's  lane, 
Byron  Cole  was  one  of  the  best.  In  1848  he  with  others  started  the  "  Boston 
Museum,"  a  handsome  weekly,  of  which  Mr.  William  O.  Eaton  was  for  years  the 
editor,  at  27  Devonshire  street  and  12  School  street.  Cole  finally  went  to  California 
and  Nicaragua,  in  which  latter  country  he  became  a  colonel  under  General  William 


16      .  History  of  the  Herald. 

Walker,  "  the  graj-ejed  man  of  destiny,"  who  was  afterward  garroted.  Cole  had 
previously  captured  a  hacienda,  called  San  Jacinto,  and  afterward  died  on  the  battle- 
field fighting  against  overwhelming  numbers.  Moses  W.  Fiske  took  to  the  stage, 
and  is  a  favorite  comedian.  Frank  Lakin  became  publisher  and  editor  of  various 
weeklies,  served  in  the  late  war,  and  was  afterward  with  Alfred  Mudge,  in  School 
street.  He  died  a  few  years  ago,  and  lies  buried  in  Mount  Auburn.  We  particularize 
these  few,  because  they  were  identified  with  the  founding  of  the  Herald.  The 
majority  of  its  earliest  attaches  are  dead. 

On  May  12  the  names  of  '*  French  &  Stowers,  Publishers,"  disappeared  from  the 
head,  but  no  explanation  was  afforded  of  the  change  until  May  28,  when  the  follow- 
ing "  card  "  appeared  at  the  head  of  the  editorial  column  :  — 

"A  change  has  recently  taken  place  in  the  proprietorship  of  the  Herald,  and 
arrangements  have  been  made  to  conduct  the  paper  in  a  manner  worthy  of  the 
liberal  patronage  bestowed  upon  it  by  the  Boston  public.  Nothing  shall  be  found 
wanting  on  the  part  of  the  new  proprietor  to  make  The  Boston  Herald  one  of  the 
first  in  the  city  in  point  of  early  news  and  interesting  miscellaneous  matter." 

Immediately  following  this  was  a  notice  to  the  public,  that,  as  the  paper  had 
changed  hands,  no  person  was  authorized  to  receive  moneys  on  its  account,  without 
a  written  certificate  signed  by  J.  Child. 

•  The  change  in  the  proprietorship  was  the  withdrawal  of  Mr.  Stowers,  and  the 
accession  of  Mr.  Samuel  K.  Head,  whose  name,  however,  was  not  announced  until 
June  23,  when  it  appeared  at  the  head  of  the  paper  as  sole  publisher.  Mr.  French, 
though  still  retaining  an  interest  and  working  upon  the  paper,  kept  in  the  back- 
ground and  his  name  did  not  appear.  Under  the  new  management  changes  occurred 
in  the  editorial  staif.  Mr.  Tyler's  name  disappeared  from  the  morning  edition  on 
June  10,  and  Mr.  Tucker's,  which,  on  June  15,  was  put  up  as  "editor,"  vanished  on 
July  15, — just  a  month  later.  Mr.  Tyler's  departure  from  the  paper  at  this  time  was 
not  final,  however,  for  he  again  became  connected  with  it  in  i'849  i'^  ^^  editorial 
capacity  (as  will  be  seen  later  on)  ;  and  in  1850-51  went  to  Washington,  where  he 
wrote  for  the  Herald  for  some  years,  mostly  leading  articles.  He  died  at  Fort 
Leavenworth,  Kansas,  August  22,  1870.  Though  he  was  the  indirect  cause  of  the 
retirement  of  Mr.  Eaton  from  the  Herald,  he  was  involuntarily  so,  and  the  latter 
writes  that  he  has  ever  cherished  and  reciprocated  his  friendship ;  for,  indeed,  he 
was  a  gentleman  of  the  old  school,  liberal  to  a  fault,  appreciative  of  genuine  merit, 
and  tenderly  regardful  of  the  rights  and  feelings  of  others.  Mr.  Tucker  is  still  liv- 
ing, and  frequently  refers  to  the  hard  work  he  performed,  and  the  small  pay  he 
received,  in  those  early  days.  "I  retired,"  he  writes  from  Neponset,  where  he  now 
resides,  "  after  months  of  toil  by  day  and  night,  with  heavy  heart  and  light  pockets ; 
but  I  have  always  watched  with  interest  the  career  of  the  Herald,  and  can  heartily 
congratulate  its  present  proprietors  on  the  great  success  of  their  well-directed 
ability  and  enterprise." 


History  of  the  Herald.  17 

Mr.  Tjler's  immediate  successor,  as  editor-in-chief  of  the  Herald,  was  Mr. 
William  Joseph  Snelling,  who  was  one  of  the  ablest  and  brightest,  and,  at  the  same 
time,  one  of  the  most  fearless  and  independent  writers  ever  engaged  on  the  Boston 
press.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  at  the  North  End,  December  26,  1804;  his  father 
was  Colonel  Josiah  Snelling,  of  the  Fifth  Regiment,  United  States  Infantry,  who  was 
a  distinguished  soldier,  a  noted  Indian-fighter,  and  built  the  famous  Fort  Snelling, 
which  was  named  for  him.  William  was  sent  to  Dr.  Stearns'  Academy,  at  Medford, 
until  he  was  fourteen  years  old,  when  he  received  an  appointment  as  a  West  Point 
cadet ;  but  an  inborn  independence,  and  a  deep-seated  aversion  to  submission  to  any 
man's  rule,  made  life  at  the  military  academy  extremely  distasteful  to  him,  and  its 
discipline  so  unbearable  that  his  stay  there  was  limited  to  two  years.  He  next  went 
to  St.  Louis,  and  engaged  in  trapping  for  furs,  and  subsequently  spent  some  time  in 
the  lead  mines  at  Galena.  His  life,  short  as  it  was,  was  crowded  with  adventure. 
Attendance  on  the  army  in  his  youth,  with  the  regiment  commanded  by  his  father, 
and  his  later  life  in  the  West,  exposed  him  to  many  temptations ;  and  the  necessity 
which  followed  him  in  after-life  to  earn  his  bread  by  literary  labors  gave  him  not 
much  choice  in  selection,  and  operated  adversely  to  his  intellectual  development  and 
the  lasting  renown  he  must  otherwise  have  acquired.  In  1832  he  published  a  satire 
styled  "Truth,  a  Gift  for  Scribblers,"  which  by  many  has  been  pronounced  equal  to 
Byron's  "English  Bards  and  Scotch  Reviewers."  He  was  also  author  of  "Tales  of 
the  North-west,"  to  be  found  in  most  public  libraries,  and  of  "The  Rat-Trap,"  a 
reformatory  treatise,  containing  a  scathing  description  of  the  barbarous  misrule  then 
predominant  at  the  House  of  Correction,  South  Boston,  and  to  this  day  character- 
istic of  other  penal  institutions  in  this  country.  He  was  a  poet  of  no  mean  ability ; 
and  as  as  atirical  prose  writer  he  has  had  few  equals  in  the  United  States.  In  1833 
he  was  associate  editor  with  Joseph  T.  Buckingham,  in  the  management  of  the  "New 
England  Galaxy;"  and  his  resistless  onslaughts  upon  a  horde  of  gamblers  in  this 
city  finally  drove  them  from  it,  though  they  contrived  to  have  him  imprisoned,  for  a 
time,  on  a  charge  of  libel.  Previous  to  Mr.  Snelling's  connection  with  the  Herald 
he  was  also  distinguished  as  a  writer  in  New  York.  He  edited  the  Herald  with 
signal  ability,  from  the  summer  of  1847  to  the  time  of  his  death,  on  Sunday  morn- 
ing, December  24,  1848.  Mr.  Elizur  Wright,  at  that  time  editor  of  another  caustic 
sheet,  the  "  Chronotype,"  with  whom  Mr.  Snelling  had  fought  many  a  hard  battle 
with  the  pen,  then  wrote :  "  Boston  owes  more  to  Snelling  than  to  many  men  who 
have  received  her  highest  honors.  None  will  deny  him  genius,  strong  sense,  and 
vigorous  satire ;  and  those  who  knew  him  best  have  always  maintained  that  his 
nature  was  amiable  and  honorable."  Occasionally  Mr.  Snelling's  strong  feelings 
and  prejudices  led  him  astray,  however,  and,  now  and  then,  opposition  would  drive 
him  into  a  position  hurtful  to  his  personal  reputation.  But  he  did  not  spare  him- 
self, and  took  hard  blows  as  he  gave  them,  scorning  a  retreat  even  in  the  face  of  the 
most  overwhelming  array.     He  always  took  the  side  of  the  oppressed,  and  no  one 


18  History  of  the  Herald, 

ever  fought  harder  against  any  public  measure  which  he  conceived  to  be  unjust. 
His  whole  editorial  life  in  Boston  was  a  series  of  battles,  and  he  "made  it  exceed- 
ingly lively"  —  to  quote  a  Mark  Twain  expression  —  for  the  other  newspapers. 
City  officials,  too,  he  allowed  no  rest,  if  they  chanced  to  move  contrary  to  his  views 
of  right  and  wrong,  and  his  warfare  upon  the  then  City  Marshal  Tukey  (which  is 
still  occasionally  referred  to  by  old  newspaper  men)  was  marked  with  a  degree  of 
ferocity  that  an  observer,  unacquainted  with  his  peculiarities,  would  think  could 
only  spring  from  some  deep-seated  hatred.  Yet  subsequent  events  proved  that 
Mr.  Snelling  entertained  not  the  slightest  personal  ill-feeling  against  the  marshal. 
The  Prohibitionists  were  also  objects  of  Mr.  Snelling's  wrath,  and  he  "pitched 
into  "  the  liquor  law  and  its  advocates  at  least  twice  a  week  during  the  whole  term 
of  his  editorship;  but  he  warmly  advocated  the  Washingtonian  "moral-suasion" 
movement.  Such  laws  as  those  forbidding  selling  papers  and  smoking  in  the 
streets,  horse-racing,  etc.,  he  held  up  to  ridicule;  and  the  practice  of  "city 
junketing,"  which  was  even  then  in  vogue,  received  many  a  sharp  stab  from  his 
pointed  pen.  The  paper,  under  his  administration,  had  an  intense  personality;  he 
took  his  readers  into  his  confidence,  as  it  were,  and  many  of  his  leaders  were 
written  in  very  much  the  same  style  he  adopted  in  conversation  with  his  friends. 
He  took  great  interest  in  the  Fire  Department,  among  other  local  institutions  (he 
was  a  member  of  an  engine  company  in  Chelsea,  where  he  resided),  and  hardly  a 
fireman  in  the  city  or  suburbs  but  considered  him  a  personal  friend.  Still,  he  was 
not  easy  of  access,  and  exacted  of  all  who  approached  him  the  manners,  at  least,  of 
a  gentleman. 

After  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Tucker,  Mr.  Snelling  announced  his  advent  (on 
July  15)  in  this  style  :  — 

"A  new  era  now  begins  in  our  history.  The  Herald  is  about  to  open  upon 
the  town  in  new  fashion,  and  with  very  particular  force  and  effect.  A  fresh  hand 
will  be  applied  to  the  bellows  ;  and  though  blowing  up  will  not  constitute  the 
business  of  the  new  editor,  yet  sufficient  heat  will  be  created  to  cast  things  in  a  new 
mould  and  form.  The  Herald  now  proposes  to  furnish  a  style  of  journalism 
different  from  anything  heretofore  existing  in  this  city,  —  something  fresh,  original, 
and  attractive  both  to  readers  and  newsmen.  We  shall,  in  a  few  days,  depart 
entirely  from  the  beaten  track  of  newspaporial  travel,  and  open  some  unexplored 
region  to  the  public  eye,  replete  with  interest  to  all  classes  of  readers.  Our  chief 
object  will  be  to  make  a  universal  sale  paper ;  and  to  do  this  we  shall  endeavor  to 
embody  the  spirit  of  THE  LIVING  PRESENT!  in  such  thoughts,  words,  and 
general  lineaments  as  the  genius  within  may  inspire.  More  anon.  But  remember, 
we  are  about  to  open  upon  the  town." 

In  the  next  issue  appeared  a  column  editorial,  after  the  same  style,  from  which 
the  following  extracts  are  taken  :  — 

"We  intend  to  disregard  entirely  all  the  old  rules  and  forms  of  making  up  a 


History  of  the  Herald.  19 

daily  paper ;  to  be  governed  by  none  of  the  old  customs  and  supposed  requisites  of 
a  newspaper ;  to  give  nothing  stale,  flat,  and  unprofitable,  because  it  is  the  general 
practice  to  do  so, — but  to  make  the  Herald  entirely  unique  in  all  its  contents, 
from  beginning  to  end.  Take  any  half-dozen  daily  papers,  and  you  will  find  that  at 
least  two-thirds  of  the  contents  of  any  one  of  them  is  but  the  reflex  of  any  other,  or 
all  of  them.  Read  one,  and  you  have  the  spirit  of  the  whole.  The  same  rules  of 
preparing  matter  are  observed  by- all;  the  same  sources  of  supply  are  sought  by  all. 
The  stereotyped  '  leader ; '  the  current  exchange  papers ;  scissors  and  paste,  —  furnish 
the  material  of  the  common  journals  from  the  Aroostook  to  the  Rio  Grande. 
Throw  such  journalism  to  the  dogs ;  we'll  have  none  of  it !  We  intend  to  start  off 
on  a  new  track,  and  give  the  public  a  '  hasty  plate '  of  something  that  can't  be  got 
elsewhere  for  the  same  money.  We  will  endeavor  to  put  our  columns  to  a  better 
use  than  reprinting  for  the  hundredth  time  all  the  minor  '  shocking  accidents ' 
which  occur  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land,  which  are  now 
displayed  with  such  uncommendable  industry  by  other  journals.  We  shall  open  a 
new  vein  for  our  supplies  of  excissorizings ;  and,  as  to  the  original  articles,  we  have 
not  a  word  to  say  about  them. 

*'The  Herald  will  be  a  paper  having,  every  day,  some  \Q2id\ng  feature  of 
interest.  It  will  be  no  study  of  ours  to  spread  what  brains  we  possess  over  a  large 
expanse  of  items;  for  fear,  like  some  who  have  tried  that  practice,  we  should  be 
found  spreading  them  rather  thin.  But  we  shall  throw  our  missives  in  lumps,  like 
the  shell  thrown  into  Vera  Cruz,  though  we  shall  generally  fill  them  with  rather 
more  kindly  materials.  Yet,  if  occasion  demands  it,  we  shall  not  spare  the  slugs 
and  scrap-iron  which  are  used  in  real  warfare. 

"  The  leading  purpose  of  our  labors  will  be  to  give  expression  to  the  spirit  of 
the  age ;  to  furnish  a  faithful  chronicle  of  the  progress  of  the  age  in  arts,  science, 
religion,  law,  literature,  medicine,  and  everything  else.  We  shall  seek  to  be  an 
humble  exponent  of  the  instant  present ;  a  zealous  historian  of  the  Aour  that  has 
passed,  and  a  discriminating  reflector  upon  the  day  that  has  closed, — generalizing, 
rather  than  laboriously  itemizing,  all  things.  We  shall  group  and  picture  the 
events  of  the  passing  time,  and  daguerreotype  them  for  the  public  eye,  in  unfading 
lines.  Whoever  and  whatever  sees  a  portrait  here  will  find  a  faithful  and 
unflattering  likeness. 

"  We  repeat  what  we  have  said  before,  to  impress  it  upon  the  mind  of  the 
reader :  the  Herald  will  be  a  paper  having  each  day  a  distinctive  feature^  which 
will  make  it  worth  buying  for  that  day  alone,  if  you  never  expect  to  buy  another.  It 
will  be  a  capital  paper  to  make  bulletins  about,  and  to  excite  the  zeal  of  newsmen, 
who  are  often  asked,  very  reasonably,  as  to  other  papers,  whether  there  is  '  anything 
in  them ;  '  for,  in  truth,  there  is  often  either  anything  or  nothing,  as  the  supply  ot 
shocking  accidents  and  scissors-matter  runs  flush  or  low.  We  shall  take  up  an 
entirely  new  set  of  subjects,  and  shall  dissect  them  with  a  bold  hand.     Those  who 


20  History  of  the  Herald. 

wish  to  study  the  anatomy  and  physiology  of  the  age  will  do  well  to  patronize  our 
cli?nque. 

"Thus,  then,  without  further  parley  or  explanation,  we  fling  our  new  banner  to 
the  breeze,  inscribed  THE  HOUR  AND  THE  MEN!  Ay,  and  we  shall  not 
forget  the  women  either,  the  ever-delightful,  charming,  teasing,  precious  plagues, 
spendthrifts,  and  comforters ;  d — ear  souls  I  To  the  men  we  shall  apply  the  crucible 
and  the  probing-iron ;  to  the  women,  the  kindliest  mirror  and  the  softest  shaded 
pencil ;  to  the  hour,  a  microscope  with  an  unflattering  lens ;  and  to  all,  the  irresist- 
ible power  of  modern  steam^  with  the  latest  high-pressure  improvements.  So  look 
out  for  a  grand  newspaper  avalanche,  a  great  landslide,  an  outpouring  of  Mount 
Vesuvius,  and  a  tremendous  moral  and  intellectual  earthquake !  Sinners,  re- 
member the  fate  of  Goldeau,  and  tremble !  " 

In  the  same  issue  of  the  Herald,  Mr.  Snelling  began  a  series  of  jottings, 
headed  "Aspects  of  the  Hour,"  of  which  the  following  is  a  sample  :  — 

"2  o'clock  P.m. — Weather  cool  and  comfortable.  Temperance  no  virtue. 
Morning  papers  supposed  to  be  laboring  under  the  influence  of  ether,  being  down  to 
the  lowest  degree  of  dulness.  The  '  Daily  Advertiser '  is  seriously  thinking  about 
something ;  says  little.  The  '  Atlas  '  is  wordy,  without  any  apparent  meaning. 
The  '  Post '  is  less  lively  than  usual,  Mrs.  Partington  being  out  of  town.  The 
editor  of  the  '  Mail '  is  also  out  of  town,  hoeing  potatoes.  The  *  Times'  is  zealously 
political,  a  matter  of  no  account  to  anybody.  The  '  Chronotype '  is  getting  no 
better  very  fast, — a  case  of  confirmed  chlorosis.  The  'Whig'  is  whig — in  its 
way.  The  '  Bee '  seems  to  have  found  no  sweets.  Newspapers  from  abroad  are 
equally  vapid  and  spiritless.     The  dog-star  is  rising.     News  is  a  nonentity. 

"  We  are  pitching  in  fuel  under  our  big  boilers,  and  shall  get  up  a  great  steam 
in  a  day  or  two.  For  news  we  care  not  the  value  of  a  sour  fig.  We  will  soon  show 
you  how  to  gain  an  entire  '  supremacy  over  our  accidents,'  as  the  apostolic  Brownson 
once  said. 

"Electric  fluid  is  an  article  much  employed  at  the  present  time  in  science  and 
in  newspaper  work.  We  intend,  presently,  to  direct  from  our  battery  a  few  small 
shocks  of  the  invisible  and  all-powerful  fluid  into  certain  nests  of  evil-doing  public 
functionaries,  who  may  as  well,  therefore,  make  their  wills  at  once,  and  prepare  to 
close  up  their  accounts  with  this  town  decently  and  in  order.  Let  the  guilty  ones 
take  warning.     Lightning-rods  won't  save  them." 

A  day  or  two  later  Mr.  Snelling  discussed  "The  Dignity  of  the  Penny  Press," 
saying,  among  other  things  :  — 

"  The  time  has  come  when  the  respectable  portion  of  the  community  no  longer 
looks  to  the  big,  sixpenny,  lying  oracles  of  politics  for  just  notions  on  government, 
exalted  piety,  or  pure  and  chaste  morality.  The  low  price  of  the  penny  papers 
endows  their  publishers  with  a  philanthropical  spirit  of  disinterestedness,  and  a 
regard  to  the  purity  of  public  morals  not  dependent  on  pecuniary  considerations.     A 


History  of  the  Herald.  21 

cent  is  but  a  nominal  price  for  a  newspaper,  and,  therefore,  the  publishers  and 
editor  of  a  penny  print  are  moved  only  by  an  earnest  and  prayerful  wish  for  the 
spiritual  and  temporal  good  of  their  readers.  Much  diurnal  good  may  now  be  had 
at  the  very  low  price  of  one  cent.  It  would  be  folly  to  deny  that  a  pure  and 
refined  taste  has  been  engendered  by  the  cheap  literature  of  the  day." 

Later,  at  intervals,  appeared  the  following :  — 

"The  Herald  is  coming  out,  reader!  Don't  you  perceive  it.?  We  are  intro- 
ducing a  new  style  of  journalism,  as  we  told  you  some  days  ago ;  a  style  hitherto 
unknown  in  Boston.  It  is  a  very  simple  style,  too;  one  that  everybody  can  com- 
prehend. We  are  going  to  TELL  THE  TRUTH  boldly  and  fearlessly,  without 
regard  to  the  smiles  or  frowns  of  the  would-be  moral  governors  of  Boston.  .  .  . 
The  Herald  is  going  to  tell  the  truth  on  all  subjects,  —  a  thing  never  yet  done  in 
Boston,  —  and  if  this  will  not  constitute  a  new  era  in  journalism,  we  know  not  what 
will." 

"The  Herald  is  impudent,  fearless,  and  determined  to  the  last  degree,  and 
will  seek,  deserve,  compel,  and  take  success — just  as  the  warrior  of  old  came,  saw, 
and  conquered.  The  Herald  is  no  milksop,  or  greenhorn,  and  is  not  to  be  bluffed 
off  from  getting  its  share  of  porridge,  by  no  manner  of  means  whatsoever.  We  are 
in  town,  and  about  town,  and  we  shall  dance  a  big  figure  with  as  much  freedom  as 
the  jackass  did  among  the  chickens,  —  albeit  we  claim  no  relationship  to  that  long- 
eared  animal,  —  and  we  say  to  all  persons  who  live  in  this  fine  old  city,  Look  out  for 
your  corns  !  "  % 

The  bold,  slashing  style  in  which  Mr.  Snelling  wrote  immediately  gave  the 
Herald  a  wonderful  lift  in  its  circulation ;  he  spared  nobody  who,  he  thought,  was 
in  the  wrong;  and,  while  this  made  him  popular  with  a  large  class  of  readers,  even 
the  persons  attacked,  and  their  friends,  bought  the  paper,  "just  to  see  what  the 
fellow  would  say."     The  following,  published  on  August  26,  shows  this  fact :  — 

"The  public  have  begun  to  appreciate  us.  .  .  .  Hardly  once  within  the  last 
three  weeks  have  we  had  a  single  copy  of  the  Herald  left  two  hours  after  issue ;  all 
not  supplied  to  regular  customers  have  been  bought  at  the  counter.  During  the 
same  time  our  impression  has  increased  two  thousand  copies,  and  we  are  still 
adding  to  it  at  the  rate  of  hundreds  a  day.  Our  advertising  patronage  has  increased 
beyond  our  most  sanguine  expectations;  and  it  is  of  the  right  sort,  —  our  adver- 
tisers pay." 

On  September  15  the  editor  indulged  in  this  joyful  strain  :  — 

"lo  triumphe !  Te  Deum  laudamus !  In  six  short  weeks  we  have  achieved 
such  a  triumph  as  never  daily  penny  paper  achieved  before.  From  the  nothingness 
of  Natyve  Americanism  we  have  created  the  Herald,  taken  the  highest  notch  of 
newspaper  rank  by  storm,  shown  the  public  where  to  look  for  independence,  honesty, 
and  instruction,  and  obtained  a  sound,  healthy,  paying  circulation,  not  among  the 
class  who  are  contented  with  the  dribble  of  mere  literary  pretences  or  records  of 


22  History  of  the  Herald. 

incalculable  cucumbers  and  preposterous  pumpkins,  but  among  men  who  seek  some- 
thiiTg  more  than  mere  amusement,  or  to  kill  time,  and  who  reflect  as  well  as 
read." 

But  there  were  many  who  did  not  relish  Mr.  Snelling's  scathing  sarcasms ;  and 
that  they  seized  upon  every  means  to  retort  to  them  is  evident  by  the  following  from 
the  Herald  of  October  5  :  — 

"To  whom  it  may  concern  :  We  make  all  men  and  women  welcome  to  say  and 
print  whatever  they  may  think  proper,  false  or  true,  of  our  life,  character,  morals, 
acts,  writings,  or  opinions ;  but  we  shall  hold  any  editor  who  may  give  publicity  to 
any  communication  derogatory  to  our  moral  character  responsible  for  the  same,  just 
as  if  he  had  written  it  himself.     In  fact,  we  consider  him  the  author." 

And  so  war  was  waged,  with  a  fierceness  and  personality  hardly  known  in  these 
days,  the  Herald's  opponents  "getting  as  good  as  they  sent,"  and  a  cessation  of 
hostilities  being  unthought  of  so  long  as  Mr.  Snelling  controlled  its  editorial 
columns. 

Local  matters  were  not  neglected,  however,  during  this  heated  campaign.  For 
some  time,  during  the  summer  of  1847,  M^-  Charles  Layton  (since  deceased),  a  gradu- 
ate of  the  composing-room  of  the  "  New  York  Herald,"  and  a  very  clever,  upright 
young  man,  acted  as  assistant  editor  and  reporter,  on  a  salary  of  fifteen  dollars  per 
week.  He  was  homesick,  however,  and  later  in  the  autumn  returned  to  New  York, 
married,  and  settled  down  to  type-setting  again.  Mr.  Samuel  R.  Glen,  another 
New  York  man,  was  then  offered  the  place,  and,  after  some  modifications  of  its 
duties,  accepted  it.  He  had  the  idea  that  there  was  a  chance  in  Boston  for  a  paper 
conducted  on  the  same  plan  as  the  "New  York  Herald,"  under  whose  chief,  the  late 
James  Gordon  Bennett,  Sr.,  he  had  served  in  various  capacities,  and  with  whom, 
before  he  left  for  this  city,  he  had  a  long  private  interview,  in  which  the  young 
journalist  received  much  excellent  advice,  based  on  the  extensive  experience  of  his 
old  employer.  Mr.  Glen  was  young,  vigorous,  and  ambitious,  and,  though  nomi- 
nally in  charge  of  the  city  department  only,  soon  had  practically  the  sole  management 
in  his  hands,  Mr.  Snelling  rarely  meddling  with  anything  outside  the  editorial 
columns,  and  the  proprietors  and  publishers  attending  only  to  the  business  and 
mechanical  departments.  The  local  field  was  not  so  closely  raked  for  news  as  it  is 
at  the  present  day;  but  it  was  not  then  so  extensive.  Still,  it  was  gleaned  with  a 
minuteness  that  was  really  wonderful,  when  the  small  size  of  the  local  staff  of  the 
city  newspapers  is  taken  into  account.  As  late  as  August  6,  1847,  the  Herald 
remarked,  in  its  "  Town  Talk  :  "  — 

"  Reporting  city  news  seems  to  have  become  a  matter  of  special  importance  to 
the  Boston  press  within  a  few  years,  and  the  various  daily  papers  now  employ  con- 
siderable talent  on  this  department  of  business.  Time  was,  within  our  recollection, 
when  few  items  of  city  news  found  their  way  into  the  daily  papers,  unless  carried 
into  the  offices  by  some  citizen.     The  first  regular  reporter  of  any  note  was  em- 


History  of  the  Herald,  23 

ployed  by  the  'Morning  Post'  —  the  veteran  who  still  occupies  that  position. 
Other  papers  soon  followed  the  example,  and  reporting  is  now  one  of  the  specialties 
of  the  press.  The  reporter  of  the  'Post'  is  a  philosopher.  The  reporter  of  the 
'  Dailv  Advertiser'  is  a  legal  sage.  The  reporter  of  the  'Atlas'  is  a  gentleman  and 
a  scholar,  and  would  conduct  that  paper  more  acceptably  than  the  real  editors.  The 
reporter  of  the  'Courier'  is  nobody  at  present.  The  reporter  of  the  'Evening 
Journal '  is  a  new  hand  in  this  metropolis,  but  exhibits  evidence  of  good  metal,  and 
is  a  classical  scholar.  The  reporter  of  the  '  Mail '  is  qualified  for  his  station,  as 
all  know.  There  are  several  other  pickers-up  of  unconsidered  trifles  about  town 
whom  we  have  neither  the  pleasure  nor  the  misfortune  to  know  much  about ;  but 
they  seem  to  be  very  busy  in  their  vocation,  and  the  public  are  pretty  likely  to  be 
well  served  by  the  competition." 

The  Herald,  though  it  did  not  "run  to  items"  so  much  as  some  of  the  other 
Boston  dailies  of  that  day,  nevertheless  excelled  most  of  them  in  the  length  and 
excellence  of  its  reports  when  anything  of  real  importance  came  up,  as  will  presently 
be  seen.  It  was,  however,  lamentably  deficient  in  election  news  on  the  morning 
after  the  State  election  on  November  8,  1847,  ^or  it  reported  only  the  vote  of  Boston, 
Chelsea,  Maiden,  Hingham,  Hull,  and  Easton,  and  in  the  afternoon  published,  with 
due  credit,  the  nearly  full  returns  which  the  "Atlas"  had  presented  to  its  readers. 

The  "Times,"  by  a  bit  of  enterprise,  secured  and  published,  on  December  8, 
ahead  of  all  the  other  city  papers,  the  President's  message ;  whereupon  the  Herald, 
which  was  among  the  "  beaten  "  that  morning,  vented  its  disgust  after  this  style  :  — 

"A  full  and  complete  synopsis  of  the  'Times'  full  and  complete  synopsis  of  the 
President's  message,  brought  five  hundred  miles  by  telegraph,  to  be  completed  by 
special  express ;  to  be  sold  at  a  dollar  a  hundred ;  dear  at  a  mill  a  thousand  — 
Words!     Words!!     Words!!!" 

In  city  politics  the  Herald  took  a  hand  that  year,  and  worked  with  all  its 
might  in  opposition  to  the  election  of  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.,  to  the  Mayoralty, 
even  issuing  an  extra  for  gratuitous  circulation  on  the  Saturday  before  election  day, 
filled  with  stirring  appeals  to  voters  to  oppose  him  at  the  polls.  But  Mr.  Quincy 
was  elected,  and  the  Herald  took  its  defeat  very  philosophically. 

"Well,"  it  said,  "the  election  is  over,  and,  notwithstanding  the  vaticinations 
of  our  enemies,  we  are  alive  and  lively,  which  is  more  than  ever  strong  drink  has 
been  able  to  make  some  of  them.  But  we  forgive  them,  and  hope  they  will  one  day 
come,  like  us,  to  know  the  comfort  of  a  conscience  void  of  offence,  and  the  proud 
satisfaction  of  being  of  some  use  in  their  day  and  generation.  We  did  not  win  the 
election,  because  it  appears  that  whiggery  is  a  chronic  disease  of  Boston,  not  to  be 
cured  in  one  year.  We  came  pretty  near  winning  it,  though ;  we  deprived  Mayor 
Quincy  of  twelve  hundred  votes,  at  least.  We  say  we,  and  we  have  a  right  to  say 
so ;  for  there  would  have  been  no  opposition  worth  speaking  of  but  for  us.  .  .  . 
We  can  tell  the  papers  who,  prophesying  according  to  their  wishes,  predicted  that  we 


24  History  of  the  Herald. 

should  not  survive  the  election,  that  the  prosperity  of  the  Herald  in  no  respect 
depended  on  any  political  excitement.  We  circulate  more  copies  now  than  any  daily 
paper  in  New  England.  .  .  .  We  intend  to  apply  to  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen 
for  the  public  advertising,  which  we  claim  as  a  right,  having  more  circulation  alone 
than  any  of  the  papers  which  already  have  it ;  probably  more  than  all  of  them 
collectively." 

The  city  election  was  the  last  event  of  note  which  occurred  during  the  first  year 
of  the  new  Herald, 

III. 
THE    HERALD   FROM    1848  TO    1852. 

THREE  YEARS  OF  VARYING  FORTUNE. — INTERESTING  LOCAL  REMINISCENCES.^ 
SOME  NOTABLE  SUCCESSES  AND  SOME  LAMENTABLE  FAILURES  IN  NEWS- 
GATHERING. —  DEATH  OF  EDITOR  SNELLING. — THE  PARKMAN  MURDER  AND 
THE  WEBSTER  TRIAL.  —  SALE  OF  THE  HERALD  TO  JOHN  M.  BARNARD,  AND 
RETIREMENT    OF  JOHN    A.    FRENCH    AND    SAMUEL    R.    GLEN. 

The  year  1848  opened  with  the  Herald  in  a  prosperous  condition,  and  the 
editor,  in  wishing  his  readers  a  happy  New  Year,  dwelt  at  some  length  upon  this 
fact.  Many  improvements  were  made  during  this  year.  Through  Mr.  Glen's 
enterprise  special  telegrams  were  regularly  received  from  New  York,  giving  the 
cream  of  all  the  news  obtainable  there.  A  Washington  correspondent  was  also 
secured,  who  wrote  weekly  letters  during  the  session  of  Congress,  and  the  paper 
covered  a  much  broader  field  than  it  had  ever  before.  Eight  to  ten  columns  of 
reading-matter  were  printed  daily,  and  it  was  kept  bright  and  entertaining.  Much 
prominence  was  given,  during  this  as  well  as  the  previous  year,  to  sporting  matters, 
and  a  large  number  of  events  on  the  turf,  etc.,  were  reported  by  |:elegraph,  —  some- 
thing new  for  the  paper.  The  circulation  showed,  according  to  the  statements  from 
time  to  time  published,  a  pretty  steady  increase.  In  July  two  capital  trials  occurred, 
—  that  of  Augustus  Dutee  for  the  murder  of  Ellen  Oakes,  and  that  of  James  Murphy 
for  killing  his  wife,  —  and  these,  being  very  fully  reported,  sent  the  editions  up  to 
eighteen  thousand,  the  publishers  offering  to  make  oath  to  that  amount  of  circula- 
tion. The  French  revolution  and  the  Irish  rebellion  assisted  in  swelling  the 
subscription  list,  and  the  activity  of  the  Herald  in  furnishing  early  and  full  news 
concerning  the  last-named  struggle  made  for  it  many  friends  among  the  Irish 
population,  who  had  previously  been  almost  exclusively  attached  to  its  rival,  the 
"Times."     On  August   17  a  " statement  of  the  actual  circulation  of  The  Boston 


History  of  the  Herald, 


25 


Herald  "  was  published,  and  is  worth   reproducing   here,  as    showing  where  the 
paper  went  in  those  days  :  — 


Boston  city • 6,500 

East  Boston 520 

South  Boston 430 

Charlestown 670 

Chelsea '. 365 

Brookline •  •  •  98 

Roxbury 537 

Hingham 235 

Plymouth 275 

Braintree  100 

Weymouth 96 

Randolph 150 

Providence 487 

Fitchburg 218 

Milton 100 

Waltham 150 

Sto-nington 260 

Portsmouth 370 

Pawtucket 297 

Dover,  N.H 220 

Quincy 150 

Newmarket 90 

Bridgewater 60 

Worcester   475 

New  Haven 165 

Portland 445 


Lynn 350 

Manchester,    N.H 437 

Concord,  N.H 112 

Springfield 395 

Hartford 287 

Dedham 210 

Marblehead 235 

Ballardvale 65 

Saco,  Me 165 

New  Bedford 325 

Salem  425 

Lowell    625 

Maiden 198 

Nahant 60 

Woburn 1 50 

Reading 106 

Concord,  Mass 127 

Lexington 78 

Fall  River 160 

Mansfield 97 

Taunton 160 

Woonsocket   130 

Newport 240 

New  York  city 265 


Total  circulation 18,715 


There  were  some  black  sheep  among  the  subscribers  at  this  time,  as  there 
always  wnll  be  when  a  newspaper  is  "  sold  on  credit"  by  the  year;  and  on  August  29 
the  Herald  began  the  publication  of  a  "Black  List  of  Delinquent  Subscribers," 
which  it  continued  for  some  months. 

On  August  7  the  counting-room  was  removed  to  19  State  street,  second  door 
from  Devonshire  street,  and  handsomely  fitted  up,  Mr.  French  placing  therein  a 
stock  of  books  and  periodicals  for  sale.  The  editorial  and  mechanical  departments 
remained,  however,  in  the  top  story  of  an  old  building  on  the  north  side  of  State 
street,  midway  between  Washington  street  and  Wilson's  lane,  and  opposite  the  Old 
State  House. 

On  October  16  the  paper  appeared  in  a  new  suit  of  type,  and  the  editor  con- 
gratulated himself  and  his  readers  upon  the  event,  referring  with  pride  to  the 
statement  for  the  first  time  printed  at  the  head  of  his  column,  that  "The  Herald 
enjoys  a  larger  circulation  than  any  other  paper  in  New  England." 


26  History  of  the  Herald. 

This  year  (1848)  will  be  long  remembered  in  Boston  on  account  of  the  political 
campaign  which  terminated  in  the  election  of  "  Old  Zach  "  Taylor  to  the  presidency. 
The  Herald,  which  early  espoused  the  Taylor  cause,  at  once  commanded  the 
respect  of  the  leading  Whigs  for  the  novel  methods  it  adopted  to  carry  the  canvass. 
Besides  strong  editorials  from  the  cultured  pen  of  Snelling,  reports  of  public 
meetings,  processions,  and  demonstrations  of  all  kinds,  were  given  with  a  vigor 
and  freshness  that  made  the  old  fogies  of  those  days  open  their  eyes  with  amaze- 
ment. On  one  occasion  (November  3J  Messrs.  French  and  Glen  attended  a  Whig 
torchlight  procession  in  Lynn.  Many  thousands  were  there  in  line,  and  nearly 
every  house  was  illuminated.  With  Mr.  French's  assistance,  Mr.  Glen  made  up  a 
four-column  report  of  the  affair,  giving  the  names  and  places  principally  illumi- 
nated, all  of  which  appeared  in  the  next  morning's  Herald,  and  reached  Lynn 
before  the  embers  of  the  fireworks  of  the  night  before  had  died  out.  This  was 
considered  a  great  achievement,  and  it  was  repeated  at  Lowell  a  few  nights  later. 
Another  achievement  of  Mr.  Glen's  was  a  four-column  report  of  the  speech  of 
Daniel  Webster,  in  Island  Grove,  Abington,  — that  famous  oration  on  October  9,  in 
which  it  was  never  definitely  settled  whether  or  not  he  made  the  remark  that  the 
nomination  was  "  one  not  fit  to  be  made."  Of  this  Mr.  Glen  says  :  "  I  reported  the 
speech  in  my  long-hand  way,  and  was  sittin'g  at  a  table  beside  which  the  immortal 
Daniel  was  standing  and  speaking.  I  heard  every  word  he  uttered,  and  I  can- 
not believe,  and  never  did  believe,  that  he  used  the  expression  as  popularly 
interpreted." 

The  Herald  was  not  always  so  fortunate  in  obtaining  good  reports  of  political 
speeches.  Charles  P.  Bosson,  a  Chelsea  boy,  familiarly  known  as  "  Charlej^"  a 
clever  writer,  but  somewhat  unreliable  upon  emergencies,  occasionally  contributed 
to  its  columns;  and  when  it  was  announced  that,  on  September  i,  Webster  was  to 
deliver  a  campaign  speech  at  Marshfield,  Bosson  was  furnished  with  money  to  pay 
his  expenses,  and  sent  to  report  it.  The  Herald  of  September  2  thus  mournfully 
completes  the  story  :  — 

"  He  returned,  and  instead  of  fulfilling  his  contract  with  us,  he  went  to  the 
'  Mail '  ofl!ice,  and  there  performed  the  duties  for  which  he  contracted  with  us. 
Upon  inquiring  of  the  gentlemanly  editor  of  that  journal,  we  learned  that  this 
miserable  miscreant  had  received  his  expenses  from  that  establishment  prior  to  the 
time  he  applied  to  us  for  pecuniary  aid,  when  he  asserted  to  us  that  the  '  Mail ' 
proprietor  was  indebted  to  him  for  previous  services,  —  an  infamous  libel  upon  a 
gentleman.     We  shall  have  more  to  say  of  this  fellow  hereafter." 

Of  the  speech,  a  full  report  of  which  the  Herald  had  promised  its  readers,  it 
had  only  the  following  :  — 

"  Mr.  Webster,  in  his  remarks,  was  entirely  non-committal,  expressing  his 
determination  not  to  oppose  General  Taj^lor  as  the  People's  candidate.  Having 
no  reporter  present,  we  can  say  no  more." 


History  of  the  Herald.  27 

The  next  day,  and  for  many  days  thereafter,  this  notice  appeared  at  the  head  of 
the  editorial  column  :  — 

"  Charles  P.  Bosson  is  requested  to  call  at  this  office  immediately,  and  pay  the 
twenty-two  dollars  he  owes  us,  or  he  will  see  lightning  and  hear  thunder ;  the  bolt 
will  strike,  and  no  mistake  !  " 

Later,  Mr.  Bosson  was  associated  with  Mr.  George  Lunt  in  editing  the  "Daily 
Courier,"  in  Lindall  street,  now  Exchange  place ;  and  he  subsequently  returned  to 
the  Herald  when  Mr.  Bailey  was  proprietor,  and  was  for  a  number  of  years  at  his 
old  business  of  editing  and  reporting.  He  died  suddenly  at  the  age  of  fifty-five 
years,  in  New  York,  some  years  ago,  of  enlargement  of  the  heart,  and  his  funeral, 
in  this  city,  was  attended  by  a  large  concourse  of  friends  and  admirers.  His  writings 
were  the  true  reflex  of  a  bright  intellect  and  genial  heart,  and  he  left  no  enemy. 

The  presidential  election  occurred  on  November  7,  and  on  the  morning  of  the 
8th  the  Herald  reported  the  vote  of  ninety-nine  Massachusetts  cities  and  towns,  in 
Suffolk,  Essex,  Norfolk,  Bristol,  Plymouth,  and  Barnstable  counties  ;  fifteen  in  Maine, 
eight  in  New  Hampshire,  one  (Providence)  in  Rhode  Island,  New  York  city,  and 
Buflfalo,  and  gave  brief  general  statements  by  telegraph  as  to  the  complexion  of  the 
vote  in  the  States  of  Vermont,  Connecticut,  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Mary- 
land, and  Virginia.  In  the  afternoon  edition  the  vote  of  Suffolk,  Hampshire,  Wor- 
cester, Hampden,  and  Franklin  counties  was  given  complete,  and  returns  from  seven 
towns  in  Essex,  twelve  in  Middlesex,  nineteen  in  Berkshire,  three  in  Norfolk,  four- 
teen in  Bristol,  and  seven  in  Plymouth.  In  addition  there  were  despatches  indicating 
the  probable  majorities  in  Maine,  New  Hampshire,  Vermont,  Rhode  Island,  Con- 
necticut, New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Illinois,  Maryland,  Virginia, 
North  Carolina,  and  Michigan.  On  the  next  day  it  was  announced,  for  a  fact,  that 
Taylor  had  at  least  one  hundred  and  fifty-four  electoral  votes,  and  was  elected,  and  the 
editor  rejoiced  thereat,  referring,  with  pleasure,  to  the  fact  that  the  Herald,  so  far 
back  as  April  10,  1847,  ^^^  declared  that  "Old  Zach  "  would  be  the  next  President. 
And  when,  on  the  4th  of  the  following  February,  an  autograph  letter,  dated  Baton 
Rouge,  La.,  January  19,  1849,  from  President-elect  Taylor,  to  the  editors  and  publish- 
ers of  the  Herald,  thanking  them  for  their  "  courtesy  and  kindness,"  was  received, 
it  was  printed  in  full,  in  double  leads,  with  2i  facsimile  oi  his  signature  appended ;  and 
the  editor  rejoiced  again  to  the  extent  of  a  column  and  a  half,  with  a  "  scare  "  head. 
.  When  the  California  gold  fever  broke  out  the  Herald  was  the  first  to  give 
authentic  and  official  information  concerning  the  discovery  and  locality  of  the 
precious  metal.  This  was  contained  in  a  letter  from  Mr.  J.  Ross  Snowden,  the  then 
treasurer  of  the  United  States  Mint  at  Philadelphia,  and  addressed  to  "  Samuel  R. 
Glen,  The  Boston  Herald,"  and  published  on  December  11,  1848.  The  Herald 
then  had  a  correspondent  on  the  "  New  York  Herald "  editorial  staff,  William  H. 
Hamilton,  one  of  the  best,  kindest,  and  readiest  journalists  of  his  day.  He  furnished 
The  Boston   Herald  with  all  valuable  information  by  telegraph,  and  wrote  a 


28  History  of  the  Herald. 

weekly  gossiping  letter.  During  the  height  of  the  California  excitement  he  tele- 
graphed, on  January  21,  1849,  ^  vivid  account  of  new  discoveries  in  El  Dorado,  and 
added,  '*  Spread  out  as  much  as  you  please,  Sam ;  it  will  stand  it."  In  order  to 
stamp  the  report  with  authenticity,  Mr.  Glen  affixed  this  addendum,  after  "  spread- 
ing" the  thing  gushingly.  Hamilton  always  thought  that  was  piling  it  on  rather 
thick;  but  whenever  he  made  a  visit  to  Boston  he  and  Glen  would  have  a  laugh  over 
it  and  a  "jorum"  at  the  old  "Ben  Franklin."  Hamilton  died  in  1852,  on  his  last 
trip  to  California,  whither  he  was  going  with  an  office  to  establish  the  "  San  Fran- 
cisco Herald,"  and  was  buried  at  Acapulco.  He  has  two  sons  living,  both  rare  boj^s 
and  able  writers,  —  one  being  now  the  writing  manager  for  the  "New  York  Aqua- 
rium." 

The  chief  local  event  of  the  year  1848  was  the  celebration  of  the  introduction  of 
Cochituate  water  into  the  city,  on  October  26,  a  seven-column  report  of  which  was 
given.  The  afternoon  editions  were  suspended  on  that  day  and  the  first  morning 
edition  on  the  next,  "  in  order,"  it  was  stated,  "to  enable  everybody  about  the 
Herald  establishment  to  enjoy  the  festivities."  The  editor-in-chief  marched  in  the 
procession  with  the  fire  company  to  which  he  belonged,  and  referred  to  the  fact  with 
due  prominence  on  the  following  day,  greatly  to  the  delight  of  the  "  fire  laddies." 

On  November  9,  William  A.  Dame,  a  Harvard  graduate  and  a  graceful  writer, 
who  had  been  employed  for  some  months  as  local  reporter,  sailed  for  Europe,  and 
the  Herald  announced  that  arrangements  had  been  made  with  him  for  foreign 
correspondence ;  but  ill-health  prevented  him  from  carrying  out  his  design.  He 
returned  to  Boston  the  next  spring,  and,  on  August  27,  1849,  ^^^^  dead  of  heart 
disease.       , 

On  Sunday  morning,  December  24,  1848,  Mr.  Snelling  died  very  suddenly,  at  his 
residence  in  Chelsea,  of  apoplexy  or  congestion  of  the  brain,  at  the  age  of  forty-four 
years.  He  ceased  to  breathe  at  four  o'clock ;  and  only  three  hours  later  Mr.  Simon 
Jordan,  his  wife's  father,  who  had  entered  the  house  to  comfort  the  widow  in  her 
affliction,  dropped  dead  at  her  feet.  The  sad  event  created  a  great  sensation  at  the 
time,  and  Mrs.  Snelling,  thus  suddenly  bereft  of  husband  and  father,  was  the  object 
of  much  sympathy.  Mr.  Snelling's  funeral  took  place  on  the  Tuesday  following  his 
death,  and  was  attended  by  a  large  concourse  of  people,  including  all  the  Herald 
employes  and  Hamilton  Engine  Company,  of  which  he  was  for  several  years  a  mem- 
ber. His  remains  were  interred  in  the  old  burying-ground  on  Copp's  Hill,  near 
where  he  was  born.  Of  a  free-handed,  generous  disposition,  Mr.  Snelling  had 
saved  little  or  no  property,  and  his  family  was  left  in  reduced  circumstances.  Upon 
learning  of  this,  arrangements  were  made  for  a  performance  at  the  Boston  Museum 
(the  free  use  of  which  was  tendered  by  Moses  Kimball,  Esq.)  for  the  benefit  of  the 
widow  and  orphans,  and  it  took  place  on  February  3,  1849,  about  a  month  after  his 
death.  The  chief  (then  William  Barnicoat)  and  all  the  assistant  engineers  of  the 
Boston  Fire  Department,  the  foremen  of  all  the  engine,  hose,  and  hook-and-ladder 


History  of  the  Herald.  29 

companies,  all  the  officials  of  the  Chelsea  Fire  Department,  and  fifty  prominent 
Bostonians,  connected  with  the  press  and  the  learned,  professions,  served  as  a  com- 
mittee of  arrangements,  and  personally  sold  tickets  for  the  performance ;  and  the 
managing  committee,  Messrs.  William  B.  English,  William  O.  Eaton,  John  A. 
French,  and  Samuel  R.  Glen,  took  charge  of  the  details.  The  house  was  crowded 
from  front  to  back,  every  inch  of  standing-room  being  occupied  in  aisles,  staircases, 
and  lobbies  ;  but  as  the  tickets  were  sold  at  twenty-five  cents  each,  the  net  proceeds  were 
only  between  four  hundred  and  five  hundred  dollars.  Among  the  volunteers  who 
appeared  on  the  stage  were  many  well-known  actors  and  actresses,  as  will  be  seen  by 
the  programme,  a  copy  of  which  (with  comments  in  brackets)  is  here  arppended :  — 

PART    I. 

Overture —"  William  Tell " Rossini 

Boston  Museum  Orchestra,  Thomas  Comer,  Leader. 

Recitation —  "  The  Fireman  " Christopher  North 

Mr.  W.  H.  Smith,  Stage  Manager,  Boston  Museum. 

Song — "  Meet  Me  by  Moonlight " Wade 

Mrs.  Frary  and  Mr.  E.  F.  Keach,  of  the  National  Theatre. 

Elegiac  Address W.  O.  Eaton 

Mr.  J.  B.  Booth,  Jr. 

Song  — "The  Little  Maid" .       

Miss  Helen  Western,  of  the  Infant  American  Sisters.     [Then  5  years  old.] 

Grand  Polacca 

Miss  Adelaide  Phillipps. 

Recitation  —  "  The  Shot  Eagle  " W.  J.  Snelling 

Mr.  H.  W.  Bland,  Manager  Sudbury  Street  Lyceum. 

Comic  Recitation  (in  costume)  —  "  The  Country  Girl " 

Mrs.  Western  [Mrs.  W.  B.  English],  of  the  National  Theatre. 

Irish  Song  — "Sprig  of  Shillalah" 

Mr.  S.  Johnson,  of  the  National  Theatre. 

Recitation  — "Passing  Away" yohn  Pierpont 

Miss  Gann,  of  the  Boston  Museum. 

Dance  — Double  Polka 

Misses  E.  and  C.  Ince,  of  the  National  Theatre. 

Song  (in  costume) —  "  Brother  Jonathan  " 

Mr.  Jacob  W.  Thoman,  Prompter  of  Boston  Museum. 

PART     II. 
Introduction  —  Orchestra 

Marc  Antony's  Oration Shakespeare 

Joseph  Proctor,  Manager  Beach  Street  Museum. 

Scotch  Dance  —  Highland  Fling 

Miss  Lucille  Western,  of  the  Infant  American  Sisters.      [Then  8  years  old.] 

Buffo  Song  — "Tippety  Witchet" 

Mr.  J.  R.  Vincent,  of  the  National  Theatre. 

Song  — "I'll  Tell  Nobody" 

Miss  Adelaide  WagstafF,  of  the  Boston  Museum. 

Song— "The  Fine  Ould  Irish  Gintleman" Brotigham 

Mr.  Frank  Whitman,  of  the  Boston  Museum. 

Recitation —  "  Fireman's  Address " 

Mr.  W.  G.  Jones,  of  the  National  Theatre. 

Song — "Independence  Day" 

Mrs.  Charles  Mestayer,  of  the  Beach  Street  Museum.     [Now  Mrs.  Barney  Williams.] 

Quartet 

Harmonic  Vocalists  —  Messrs.  Wheat,  Moore,  Spear,  and  Warren. 


30  History  of  the  Herald, 

Fourteen  of  the  performers  on  this  occasion  have  since  died,  and  many  members 
of  the  committee  of  arrangements  have  "passed  over  to  the  majority." 

Mr.  Eaton,  the  first  editor  of  the  Herald,  had  a  benefit  the  same  year  (Oct.  25) 
at  the  National  Theatre,  upon  which  occasion  he  appeared  as  Brutus. 

For  a  few  weeks  the  once  well-known  New  Yorker,  Mike  Walsh,  a  Tammany 
politician,  was  associated  with  Snelling  in  the  editorship.  But  Walsh  proved  a  crude, 
superficial,  and  indolent  writer,  and  soon  returned  to  New  York,  where,  some  years 
afterward,  he  was  one  morning  found  dead  and  mangled  on  the  pavement,  and  was 
supposed  to  have  been  thrown  from  an  upper-story  window. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Snelling,  Mr.  George  W.  Tyler  was  recalled  to  the  chief 
editorial  chair,  and,  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  1849,  resumed  the  duties  tempo- 
rarily interrupted  by  the  events  above  mentioned.  The  proprietors  agreed  with 
him  and  Mr.  Glen  that  the  Herald  should  be  made  valuable  to  the  public  as  a 
gatherer  and  disseminator  of  news,  especially  that  of  a  local  character ;  and,  con- 
sequently, more  work  was  put  into  the  news  columns.  But  the  editorial  department 
was  by  no  means  neglected,  and  every  number  had  its  leader  from  the  able  pen  of 
Mr.  Tyler.  Mr.  Glen  labored  vigorously  to  keep  the  paper  abreast  of  the  times  in 
matters  under  his  charge,  and,  on  April  2,  chiefly  through  his  influence,  the  custom 
of  printing  four  editions  daily  was  inaugurated.  The  first  was  dated  5  o'clock,  A.M. ; 
the  second,  8;  the  third,  12,  M. ;  and  the  fourth,  2.30,  P.M.  On  the  day  before,  the 
editorial,  composing,  and  press  rooms  were  removed  to  Nos.  ih.  and  3  Water  street 
(the  counting-room  still  remaining  at  19  State  street),  where  the  force  of  compositors 
was  increased  by  four  men,  and  the  paper  was,  for  the  first  time,  printed  on  one  of 
Hoe's  double-cylinder  presses,  run  by  steam  power,  and  capable  of  producing  six 
thousand  impressions  per  hour. 

The  following  statistics  concerning  the  printers  employed  at  that  time  on  the 
Boston  press  may  not  be  uninteresting  :  The  whole  number  of  journeymen  at  work 
in  the  city  (for  25  cents  per  1,000  ems)  was  362,  of  whom  147  set  type  on  the  dailies, 
19  on  the  weeklies  and  semi-weeklies,  and  196  on  book  and  job  work.  Besides  these, 
119  received  less  than  25  cents  per  1,000,  9  of  whom  were  in  daily  offices,  making  a 
total  of  481  whose  average  wages  were  $7  a  week.  No  female  compositors  were 
employed  by  the  dailies,  but  66  set  type  for  the  weeklies  and  semi-weeklies,  and  22 
on  book  and  job  work ;  total,  88 ;  average  weekly  wages,  $3.  Total  number  of 
employing  printers,  220;  apprentices,  166.  A  day's  work  in  a  daily  newspaper 
office  was  12  hours ;  in  a  weekly  office,  10.  Early  in  November  the  journeymen 
demanded  28  cents  per  1,000.  The  Herald  was  the  first  paper  to  accede  to  the 
demand,  and  was  followed  by  all  the  other  dailies  except  the  "  Advertiser,"  "Journal," 
and  "Traveller." 

Early  in  1849  Messrs.  Head  &  French  had  found  a  difficulty  in  agreeing  as  to 
the  share  of  the  property  each  had,  and  on  Feb.  16,  during  the  absence  from  town 
of  the  former,  Mr.  French  placed  his  own  name,  with  an  "  &  Co."  appended,  at  the 


History  of  the  Herald.  31 

head  of  the  cokimns,  as  proprietor.  Matters  looked  stormy  upon  Mr.  Head's  return, 
but  the  dispute  was  finally  settled  through  the  arbitration  of  their  mutual  lawyer, 
William  H.  Farrar,  Esq.,  since  Attorney-General  of  Oregon,  and  now  deceased. 
Mr.  Head  withdrew  from  the  concern,  and  Mr.  French's  name  was  retained  in  the 
imprint,  with  "  &  Co."  dropped,  as  sole  proprietor,  throughout  the  remainder  of 
the  year. 

The  circulation  improved  wonderfully  under  the  new  methods  of  management. 
On  Feb.  27  the  announcement  was  made,  and  kept  standing  for  some  time  at  the  head 
of  the  editorial  column,  that  the  regular  daily  editions  had  reached  twenty-two  thou- 
sand copies.  One  reason  for  the  increase  of  the  city  circulation  was  the  passage,  on- 
Jan.  21,  by  the  City  Council,  of  an  ordinance  allowing  minors  to  sell  newspapers  on 
the  streets,  provided  they  obtained  licenses  for  the  business  and  complied  with  cer- 
tain school  regulations.  Before  this  no  newsboy  was  allowed  to  vend  papers  "  out 
of  doors,"  on  pain  of  arrest  and  fine  or  imprisonment,  and  the  Herald  had  fired 
many  a  broadside  at  the  city  government  and  police  for  this  restriction  of  its  sale 
to  its  office,  the  news  stands,  and  shops.  On  April  2  the  line  "Largest  Circulation 
in  New  England  "  was  prominently  displayed.  The  "Times  "  had  excelled  the  Herald 
in  circulation  up  to  about  this  time  by  a  few  thousands,  but  the  latter  gained  rapidly 
on  its  rival,  and  finally  outstripped  it.  Mr.  French,  on  June  5,  formally  demanded 
the  post-office  advertising,  which  had  been  given  to  the  "Times"  up  to  that  date. 
"  We  claim  this  " —  so  ran  a  double-leaded  editorial  —  "  by  the  right  guaranteed  to  us 
by  the  law  of  Congress  passed  March  15,  1845,  which  contains  the  provision  that 
such  advertisement  (of  unclaimed  letters  remaining  in  the  post-office)  shall  be 
officially  published  in  the  paper  or  papers  having  the  largest  circulation. 
In  order  to  sustain  our  position,  we  are  ready  to  make  the  following  wagers, 
and  dare  the  '  Daily  Times,'  and  all  other  papers  published  in  Boston,  to  accept 
them  :  — 

"  I.  —  One  thousand  dollars  that  the  circulation  of  the  '  Times '  is  not  three  times 
larger  than  that  of  any  other  three  daily  papers  published  in  Boston. 

"2.  —  One  thousand  dollars  that  it  is  not  larger  than  that  of  any  two  daily 
papers  published  in  Boston. 

"3.  —  One  thousand  dollars  that  it  is  not  larger  than  that  of  The  Boston 
Herald  alone. 

"4.  —  One  thousand  dollars  that  it  is  not  as  large  as  that  of  The  ,  Boston 
Herald. 

"5- — Two  thousand  dollars  that  the  circulation  of  The  Boston  Herald  is  one 
thousand  greater  in  the  city  of  Boston  than  that  of  the  'Boston  Daily  Times.' 

"We  do  not  solicit  the  post-office  printing  from  any  pecuniary  profit  that 
may  arise  therefrom.  We  can  fill  our  paper  to  the  chin  with  better-paying  adver- 
tisements ;  but,  as  it  is  generally  looked  upon  as  the  point  which  settles  the  question 
of  superior    circulation,   we    have   been    induced   to   present   our   claims    for   that 


32  History  of  the  Herald. 

honorable  distinction,  and  are  determined  not  to  let  the  matter  rest  until  thej  are 
satisfied." 

A  long  controversy  ensued,  in  which  many  bitter  words  were  written  and  said ; 
and  though  the  Herald  finally  conquered,  and  obtained  the  coveted  distinction, 
it  was  not  until  several  years  after  making  the  demand,  and  after  Mr.  French's 
connection  with  the  paper  had  ceased.  During  the  progress  of  the  wrangle, 
William  A.  Ramsay,  foreman  of  the  press-room,  made  oath  that  the  average  daily 
circulation  of  the  Herald  in  June  was  14,935  copies ;  and  H.  G.  Blaisdell  and 
G.  W.  Harmon,  delivery  clerks,  deposed  that  the  average  daily  circulation  in  the 
city  that  month  was  11,253  copies.  The  city  circulation  of  the  other  penny  papers 
during  this  month  was  declared  to  be:  "Times,"  7,794;  "Bee,"  5,628;  "Mail," 
3,500.  The  average  daily  circulation  of  the  Herald  during  July  and  August  was 
sworn  to  have  been  14,372  copies,  of  which  11,218  were  sold  in  the  city.  On  Oct. 
23  the  following  announcement  was  made  in  "caps,"  surrounded  by  a  row  of 
"fists:"  "The  Boston  Herald  has  a  larger  circulation  in  the  city  of  Boston 
and  throughout  New  England  than  any  other  paper  published  here  or  elsewhere ; 
this  we  are  prepared  to  prove  by  honest  affidavits."  As  a  "  settler,"  the  following 
was  published  on  November  19  :  — 

"  Any  merchant  or  advertiser  disbelieving  our  statements  relative  to  the  circu- 
lation of  the  Herald  is  at  liberty  to  call  at  our  office  at  any  time  and  examine  our 
books.  We  will  forfeit  the  sum  of  $1,000  if  we  do  not  substantiate  everything  we 
have  stated  on  this  subject." 

The  year  1849  was  "^  good  year  for  news,"  both  foreign  and  local,  and  the 
efforts  of  the  editors  and  proprietors  to  lay  it  before  the  readers  of  the  Herald 
early  and  fully  were  well  directed  and  very  successful.  The  local  staff  was  increased 
on  March  4  by  the  engagement  of  Mr.  Henry  A.  Hildreth,  and  later  on  he  was 
reinforced  by  Mr.  John  C.  Cremony,  both  good  reporters  and  hard  workers,  who 
dished  up  city  news  in  palatable  form.  The  line  "  Affairs  About  Home,"  which 
may  still  be  seen  in  the  Herald,  was  adopted  on  January  10,  and  hardly  a  day 
passed  that  it  did  not  head  a  report  of  some  "affair"  of  note.  Occasionally  some 
individual,  aggrieved  at  the  manner  in  which  his  name  was  used  in  the  court  or 
other  reports,  would  threaten  trouble ;  but  threats  were  of  little  avail,  as  the  paper 
usually  "  sassed  back,"  and  the  belligerent  got  more  than  he  bargained  for.  On 
one  occaigion  (May  i)  Mr.  Glen  was  assaulted  in  a  cowardly  manner  by  an  unknown 
person,  but  escaped  without  serious  injury ;  and  not  even  the  offer  of  a  reward  of 
fifty  dollars  could  fix  the  identity  of  his  assailant.  George  Greenleaf,  reporter 
for  the  "Times,"  was  also  assaulted,  terribly  Jjeaten,  and  robbed,  on  Oct.  14;  but 
his  assailants  were  arrested,  identified,  tried,  and  convicted. 

Matters  outside  the  city  and  State  were  looked  after  with  care.  Mr.  Glen  went 
to  Washington  to  report  the  inauguration  of  President  Taylor,  and  wrote  a  series 
of  interesting  letters  on  men  and  things  at  the  national  capital.     Before  returning 


History  of  the  Herald.  33 

he  made  arrangements  for  special  correspondence  from  Washington,  which  was 
thereafter  kept  up  with  regularity.  New  York  letters  from  Mr.  Hamilton  were 
regularly  published,  and  he  also  telegraphed  important  matters  which  would 
'*  spoil  by  keeping."  His  letters  and  despatches  concerning  the  '*  Astor-place  riot," 
on  May  lo,  ii,  and  12,  were  voluminous  and  comprehensive,  and  were  widely  read. 
Father  Mathew's  arrival,  reception,  and  addresses  were  also  fully  reported  from 
New  York ;  and  the  Herald  published  his  biography  and  a  portrait.  Sporting 
news  was  given  a  prominent  place.  A  long  report  of  the  Hyer-Sullivan  fight  was 
printed  on  February  8.  This  event  was  looked  forward  to  with  a  degree  of  interest 
which  is  scarcely  conceivable  nowadays,  and  an  immense  sum  of  money  changed 
hands  in  Boston  when  the  result  was  first  made  public  here  in  the  Herald.  It  is 
even  hinted  that  an  interest  in  the  paper  was  wagered  on  the  event,  and  that  the 
change  of  imprint,  a  week  later,  was  owing  to  this.  But  other  events  were  not 
neglected,  as  the  Herald  was  the  only  penny  paper  in  Boston  which  fully  reported 
the  May  "anniversaries,"  devoting  from  four  to  eight  columns  to  them  daily;  and 
sermons,  addresses,  lectures,  etc.,  at  the  churches  and  at  meetings  of  religious  and 
charitable  societies,  received  due  attention  throughout  the  year.  One  unpleasant 
duty  of  the  local  men,  during  the  summer  of  1849  (this  was  "  cholera  year"),  was  the 
obtaining  of  daily  reports  from  the  cholera  hospital,  where,  during  July  and  August, 
from  six  to  thirty  persons  died  every  twenty-four  hours.  The  Herald  not  only 
published  these,  but  "wrote  up"  the  hospital,  described  the  disease,  the  appearance 
of  patients  in  various  stages,  methods  of  treatment,  etc.  News  was  considered 
news,  and  as  such  was  given  to  the  public,  whether  it  was  a  murder-trial  (several  of 
which  occurred  during  the  year)  or  a  church-meeting,  a  horse-race  or  a  love-feast. 
The  entire  press  of  the  city  was  "beaten"  on  a  report  of  the  great  Masonic 
celebration  at  Newburyport,  on  June  26,  a  seven-column  description  of  which  was 
published  in  the  Herald's  first  edition  the  next  morning.  The  loss  of  the  British 
brig  St.  John,  with  nearly  one  hundred  lives,  on  Minot's  Ledge,  October  7,  was  another 
occasion  on  which  the  Herald  distanced  most  of  its  competitors  in  the  length  and 
accuracy  of  its  reports.  Occasionally  the  other  dailies  would  get  an  "exclusive;" 
but  the  Herald  was  rarely  caught  napping.  On  December  25  it  published  in  the 
morning  a  column  synopsis  of  President  Taylor's  message,  telegraphed  from  New 
York,  and  in  the  second  edition  the  document  in  full,  getting  it  upon  the  street  half 
an  hour  earlier  than  the  other  dailies.  This  event  was  considered  so  noteworthy, 
that,  to  commemorate  it,  Mr.  French  gave  a  supper  at  the  Howard  House  to  the 
editors,  reporters,  compositors,  clerks,  and  pressmen  of  his  establishment,  on 
Saturday  evening,  December  29.  Judging  by  the  reports  printed  on  Monday,  the 
occasion  was  decidedly  convivial,  and  the  number  and  style  of  the  "volunteer 
toasts  "  towards  its  close  were  something  remarkable,  to  say  the  least. 

It  is  curious,  in  these  days  of  lightning,  to  read  an  account  of  the  manner  in 
which  the  message  was  brought  from  Washington.    J.  F.  Calhoun,  of  New  Haven, 
3 


34  History  of  the  Herald. 

was  the  messenger,  and  he  started  early  by  rail  with  it  on  the  24th,  at  2,  P.M. ; 
crossed  from  Jersey  City  to  New  York  in  a  tug  immediately  on  his  arrival ;  took  a 
horse  and  chaise  to. the  New  York  &  New  Haven  Depot,  on  Thirty-second  street; 
mounted  a  special  engine  which  was  in  waiting,  and  started  at  10  o'clock  for  Boston, 
reaching  New  Haven  at  11.30,  P.M.,  Hartford  at  12.58,  A.M.,  Springfield  at  1.45, 
Worcester  at  5.04,  and  Boston  at  6.20.  The  tender  jumped  the  track  once  at 
Meriden,  requiring  half  an  hour's  delay  to  replace  it;  at  Warren  a  derailed  freight 
train  caused  another  detention,  of  an  hour  and  thirty-eight  minutes,  and  at  Palmer 
thirteen  minutes  were  occupied  in  taking  in  water  for  the  engine. 

The  local  event  which  excited  the  most  interest  in  Boston,  during  the  year  1849, 
was  the  murder  of  Dr.  Parkman  by  Professor  Webster.  The  doctor's  disappearance 
was  noted  in  the  Herald  of  Nov.  26,  three  days  after  he  was  last  seen ;  an  extra  on 
Sunday,  Dec.  2,  announced  the  discovery  of  his  remains ;  and  from  that  time  to  the 
termination  of  Professor  Webster's  trial  every  event  connected  with  the  sad  affair 
was  reported  in  the  fullest  manner.  Portraits  of  the  deceased  and  his  murderer, 
plans  of  the  latter's  rooms,  sketches  of  the  remains  found  in  and  about  them,  the 
knives,  hatchet,  etc.,  used  to  commit  the  deed,  and  many  other  objects,  were  engraved 
and  printed  as  the  investigation  progressed,  and  the  public  was  kept  informed  of 
every  new  development.  The  Herald's  report  of  the  Webster  trial,  which  opened 
on  the  19th  of  the  following  March,  was  considered  a  great  journalistic  achievement. 
Extras,  giving  long-hand  reports  of  this  extraordinary  case,  were  issued  every  fifteen 
minutes  or  half-hour,  —  not  only  in  Boston,  but  simultaneously^  in  New  York,  for 
which  Mr.  Glen  had  personally  made  arrangements.  As  fast  as  The  Boston  Herald 
set  up  its  copy  it  was  sent  by  telegraph  to  New  York,  and  when  the  Herald  would 
get  too  much  ahead,  as  was  sometimes  the  case,  the  operators  would  snatch  the 
copy  up;  to  be  returned  to  the  compositors  as  soon  as  sent  over  the  wires.  The  long- 
hand report  of  the  trial,  which  was  sent  to  the  office  by  messengers,  sheet  by  sheet, 
was  made  by  Captain  Jonas  K.  Tyler,  a  younger  brother  of  George  W.,  the  editor 
mentioned  above,  and  one  of  the^most  promising  young  men  of  his  time.  He  served 
as  an  officer  in  the  Massachusetts  regiment  in  Mexico,  until  disabled  by  sunstroke 
and  forced  to  return  north.  He  also  entered  the  Union  army  during  the  civil  war, 
though  exempted  from  service  by  the  injuries  above  mentioned,  and  remained  until 
another  sunstroke  compelled  him  to  resign  his  commission,  and  disabled  him  for 
several  years  subsequently.  Since  his  return  he  has  resided  in  the  Bunker  Hill 
District,  and  when  able  (he  has  never  fully  recovered  his  health)  has  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  law. 

While  the  long-hand  reports  of  the  Webster  trial  were  being  published  in 
extras  every  few  minutes,  the  short-hand,  or  phonographic,  verbatim  reports  were 
written  out  and  issued  in  pamphlet  form,  and  within  an  hour  after  the  trial  the  last 
page  of  manuscript  was  in  hand.  This  work  was  accomplished  by  Mr.  Felix  G. 
de  Fontaine,  one  of  the  early  short-hand  writers  of  the  country,  in  connection  with 


History  of  the  Herald.  35 

Mr.  Charles  B.  Collar,  another  phonographer,  and  Mr.  G.  D.  Dowling,  stenog- 
rapher. "Little  Felix,"  as  he  was  then  known  in  Boston,  cast  his  fortunes  with  the 
South  during  the  war,  and  his  letters  as  a  correspondent  were  officially  recognized 
by  the  so-called  Confederate  Congress,  and  are  the  basis  of  many  of  the  Southern 
histories  of  battles  and  events  that  have  since  been  written.  For  many  years  he  has 
been  on  the  staff  of  the  "New  York  Herald;  "  but,  like  others  who  have  been  trained 
in  the  early  school,  he  remembers  the  experience  he  acquired  in  Boston. 

Webster's  confession  (on  July  3)  and  execution .  (August  30)  were  reported 
very  fully,  the  former  occupying  seven  columns  and  the  latter  four.  From  the  time 
the  Herald  began  "working  up"  this  case,  its  circulation  bounded  along  wonder- 
fully. During  the  trial  a  double  set  of  hands  was  employed  in  the  composing  and 
press  rooms,  and  ninety-four  thousand  papers  were  issued  (the  utmost  number  that 
the  presses  could  print)  and  sold  daily.  This  established  the  Herald  on  a  firm 
basis,  and  for  some  months  after  the  last  line  concerning  Webster  and  his  victim 
had  been  printed,  the  daily  circulation  did  not  fall  below  sixty  thousand. 

The  opening  of  the  year  1850  found  the  Herald  in  a  very  prosperous  condition. 
On  January  i6  Mr.  French  publicly  offered  to  place  one  hundred  dollars  in  the 
hands  of  any  responsible  person  as  a  wager  that  the  Herald's  circulation  was  larger 
than  that  of  any  other  paper  in  Boston,  and,  if  on  due  examination  such  was  found 
not  to  be  the  case,  the  money  to  be  expended  by  the  mayor  for  charitable  purposes. 
No  paper  or  person,  however,  accepted  the  offer,  and  the  sum  was  unclaimed.  The 
advertising  patronage  of  the  Herald  was  at  this  time  very  large,  and  when  a  new 
suit  of  type  was  donned,  on  May  27,  the  entire  paper  was  set  in  "  agate,"  in  order  to 
give  an  increased  amount  of  reading  matter  and  at  the  same  time  afford  more  room 
for  advertisements. 

The  editorial,  composing,  and  press  rooms  were  in  the  old  locality  until  Sep- 
tember, when  they  were  transferred  to  Williams  court,  in  the  building  abandoned  on 
February  9,  1878,  for  the  new  structure,  which  is  described  in  detail  farther  on.  The 
counting-room,  however,  remained  at  No.  19  State  street  until  October  i  of  the  next 
year,  when  it  was  removed  to  No.  103  Washington  street  (now  numbered  241),  and 
there  remained  until  the  new  building  was  occupied. 

Mr.  Tyler  continued  to  write  the  leaders,  and  Mr.  Glen  remained  in  general 
charge  of  the  paper.  Mr.  A.  A.  Wallace  also  did  some  reporting,  and  occasionally 
acted  as  assistant  editor.  Mr.^H.  A.  McGlenen,  now  business  agent  of  the  Boston 
Theatre,  who  had  not  long  before  that  returned  from  Mexico,  where  he  served 
through  the  war  in  the  Massachusetts  Regiment,  began  reporting  for  the  Herald 
on  August  26,  and  remained  about  a  year.  Mr.  E.  G.  Abbott  was  especially  engaged 
to  report  the  execution  of  Professor  Webster,  and  was  for  some  time  thereafter 
connected  with  the  paper. 

Great  efforts  were  made  to  obtain  news  from  all  quarters,  and  the  telegraph  was 
more  freely  used  than  at  any  previous  time  in  the  history  of  the  paper.     Special 


36  History  of  the  Herald. 

despatches  from  Washington  and  New  York  frequently  Jfilled  from  two  to  four 
columns,  and  sometimes  as  many  as  seven,  which  was,  for  those  days,  an  unusual 
amount.  The  great  debates  on  the  slavery  question  in  the  United  States  Senate 
were  very  fully  reported  thus  for  several  months,  until  Congress  adjourned.  The 
circumstances  attending  the  death  of  President  Taylor  were  reported  at  great  length, 
and  also  the  obsequies  and  commemorative  ceremonies  in  other  cities.  The  paper 
twice  "turned  its  rules"  and  went  into  mourning  —  on  the  day  the  President's 
demise  was  announced,  and  the  day  of  the  funeral  —  to  show  its  respect  for  the 
deceased  ruler ;  on  the  latter  occasion  suspending  its  afternoon  editions,  and  devot- 
ing nine  columns,  on  the  day  following,  to  a  report  of  the  ceremonies  in  Boston. 

Several  capital  trials  besides  that  of  Professor  Webster  occurred  during  the  year, 
and  one  other  execution,  —  that  of  Daniel  H.  Pearson,  for  the  murder  of  his  wife  and 
children.  These  were  all  reported  at  length,  of  course,  and  helped  swell  the  sale  of  the 
paper.  Another  local  "sensation"  was  the  excitement  over  the  arrival  of  William 
and  Ellen  Crafts,  escaped  slaves,  the  latter  part  of  October,  and  the  arrest  of  W.  S. 
Hews  and  John  Knight,  who  were  pursuing  them.  Still  another,  somewhat  in  the 
same  line,  was  the  quasi  riot  in  Faneuil  Hall,  on  the  evening  of  Nov.  15,  when 
George  Thompson,  M.P.,  the  English  abolitionist,  was  prevented  from  speaking. 

An  event  more  pleasant  to  speak  of  was  the  arrival  of  Jenny  Lind,  and  her 
concerts  in  Boston.  Columns  were  printed  about  the  Swedish  songstress  and  the 
honors  showered  upon  her.  For  the  benefit  of  those  whose  recollections  do  not 
extend  back  so  far,  it  may  be  interesting  to  state  that  when  the  tickets  for  her  first 
concert  in  Tremont  Temple  were  sold  by  auction,  on  Sept.  26,  the  first  choice  of 
seats  was  purchased  by  Ossian  E.  Dodge  for  six  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars,  and 
none  brought  less  than  seven  dollars  and  fifty  cents. 

The  year  1851  was  a  hard  one  for  the  Herald.  Through  some  inexplicable 
cause,  Mr.  French  suddenly  found  himself  financially  embarrassed.  His  health 
was  poor,  and  the  anxiety  consequent  upon  these  business  difficulties  threw  him 
into  a  fit  of  sickness.  He  endeavored  to  "  kite  "  along  from  month  to  month,  but  was 
unlucky;  and,  being  unable,  from  his  infirm  health,  to  attend  personally  to  the 
publisher's  department  of  the  establishment,  he  found  he  must  leave  the  business  or 
be  dragged  down  with  it. 

On  April  i  the  Weekly  Herald,  the  first  number  of  which  was  issued  on 
Jan.  16,  1847,  was  discontinued.  It  was  made  up  from  the  daily;  contained  a  large 
amount  of  reading  matter,  and  at  first  had  a  large  subscription  list  (at  one  dollar  and 
fifty  cents  per  annum)  as  well  as  a  good  sale.  For  a  time  it  was  issued  on  Wednesdays, 
and  then  the  experiment  of  making  it  a  Sunday  paper  was  tried.  The  subscriptions 
gradually  fell  off,  the  sales  were  very  small,  and  at  length  Mr.  French  was  obliged  to 
cease  its  publication. 

On  the  same  date  the  imprint  of  the  daily  was  changed  from  "John  A.  French, 
Editor  and  Proprietor,"  to  "John  A.  French,  Publisher,"  and  on  July  16  this  dis- 


History  of  the  Herald.  37 

appeared  and  was  succeeded  by  "George  W.  Triggs  &  Co.,  Publishers  and  Pro- 
prietors." It  seems  that  Mr.  French  disposed  of  the  Herald  to  John  M.  Barnard 
(a  wealthy  distiller  and  wholesale  liquor-dealer,  then  doing  business  in  South 
Market  street,  and  also  proprietor  of  the  "Glades"  Hotel  at  Cohasset)  on  the  day 
the  word  "  proprietor "  was  dropped  from  his  name  in  the  imprint;  but  the  sale 
was  not  made  public,  and  Mr.  Barnard's  name  was  not  printed  as  proprietor  during 
the  year.  Mr.  French  soon  closed  up  his  business  affairs  in  Boston,  and  retired  to 
his  homestead  in  North  Norway,  Me.,  where  he  has  since  resided,  giving  his  whole 
attention  to  his  fine  farm.  He  has  two  sons,  both  of  whom  practise  "the  art  pre- 
servative "  in  this  city  at  the  present  timg. 

Mr.  Glen  resigned  his  position  on  the  Herald  about  the  time  of  its  sale,  and 
accepted  an  invitation  from  Mr.  George  Roberts  to  take  charge  of  the  "Boston 
Times."  He  remained  in  that  office  as  managing  editor  for  a  number  of  years,  and 
then  returned  to  his  first  love,  the  "  New  York  Herald."  He  did  some  excellent 
work  for  that  paper  as  war  correspondent  during  "the  late  unpleasantness,"  and  is 
still  a  member  of  its  editorial  staff. 

Mr.  Glen's  successor  as  managing  editor  of  The  Boston  Herald  was  Mr.  A.  A. 
Wallace;  Mr.  Tyler,  however,  continuing  for  a  while  the  leader-writing,  and  the 
local  force  remaining  the  same  as  during  the  preceding  year. 

News  was  plenty  in  1851,  but  the  Herald  did  not  display  so  much  enterprise 
in  obtaining  and  publishing  it  as  in  1850.  Its  telegraphic  reports  were  meagre,  and, 
for  most  of  the  year,  averaged  scarcely  more  than  a  "  stickful  "  or  two.  This  was,  in 
part,  owing  to  a  controversy  which  arose  between  the  Herald,  "Times,"  "Journal," 
and  "Atlas,"  on  the  one  part,  and  Mr.  D.  H.  Craig,  of  the  Associated  Press,  on  the 
other;  the  upshot  of  which  was  that  the  papers  mentioned  were,  for  a  time,  cut  off 
from  the  privileges  of  the  Press  despatches.  The  papers,  however,  made  an  arrange- 
ment for  telegrams  from  Abbott  &  Winans,  in  New  York,  and  on  a  number  of 
occasions,  notably  when  the  great  fire  in  San  Francisco  was  first  reported,  on  June 
17,  "  beat "  the  Associated  Press  by  eight  or  ten  hours.  But  this  arrangement  was 
temporary,  and  the  Herald  suffered  in  its  telegraphic  news  department  on  account 
of  its  independent  stand  concerning  the  association. 

With  local  news,  however,  a  much  better  showing  was  made,  and  advantage  was 
taken  of  a  number  of  prominent  events  to  "  make  a  spread."  Among  these  were  the 
arrest  and  rescue  of  the  fugitive  slave  Shadrach,  on  February  15,  16,  and  the  subse- 
quent arrest  and  trial  of  Elizur  Wright,  Charles  G.  Davis,  Joseph  V.  Hayes,  and 
others,  on  the  charge  of  aiding  him  to  escape ;  the  arrest  of  Thomas  Sims,  another 
runaway  slave,  on  April  4,  and  the  exciting  events  which  followed,  —  too  well  known 
to  require  recital  here ;  the  great  storm  of  April  17,  during  which  the  light-house  on 
Minot's  Ledge  was  destroyed,  with  its  inmates ;  the  election  of  Charles  Sumner  to 
the  United  States  Senate,  on  April  24;  the  visit  of  President  Fillmore  to  Boston,  on 
September  16,  17,  etc.,  etc.     Local  events  of  minor  importance,  but  still  of  interest. 


38  •  History  of  the  Herald. 

were  numerous.  It  is  noted,  during  this  year,  that  the  city  ordinance  prohibiting 
smoking  on  the  streets  was  for  some  time  strictly  enforced,  by  order  of  the  Board  of 
Aldermen;  it  has  never  been  repealed,  we  believe,  but  this  was  the  last  time  a 
serious  attempt  was  made  to  carry  out  its  provisions.  On  October  9  Barney  McGin- 
niskin  was  appointed'  a  policeman,  —  not  an  important  event,  it  would  seem  at  first 
glance,  but  something  to  remember  when  it  is  stated  that  he  was  the  first  man  of 
foreign  birth  ever  appointed  on  the  Boston  force,  and  that  his  appointment  was 
bitterly  opposed  by  a  large  number  of  citizens,  who  believed  in  the  old  watchword, 
"  Put  none  but  Americans  on  guard." 

Mechanically  considered,  the  Hkraj^d  was  not  very  well  gotten  up  during  this 
year.  New  type  was  procured  on  March  31  and  October  13;  but  the  two-cylinder 
press  then  used  to  print  the  paper  was  not  of  the  best  construction,  and  battered  the 
type  so  that  its  frequent  renewal  was  scarcely  sufficient  to  make  a  legible  print.  The 
press  broke  down,  too,  on  several  occasions,  necessitating  vexatious  delays  and 
profuse  apologies. 


IV. 

THE  HERALD  UNDER  BARNARD  AND  BAILEY. 

EVENTS  IN  ITS  HISTORY  FROM  1852  TO  1858,  INCLUSIVE. — ENLARGEMENTS  AND 
IMPROVEMENTS.  —  THE  STEREOTYPING  PROCESS  AND  NEW  MACHINERY  INTRO- 
DUCED. —  RECORD  OF  CIRCULATION.  —  EDITORIAL  COURSE  OF  THE  PAPER.  — 
THE  CIVIL  WAR  AND  ITS  INFLUENCE  UPON  THE  NEWSPAPER  PRESS.  —  NOTA- 
BLE   EVENTS    OF   THE    SEVEN   YEARS. 

On  the  first  Monday  of  the  year  1852  a  new  press,  built  for  the  Herald  at 
Hoe's  establishment,  was  first  put  in  use,  and  the  paper  was  printed  upon  it,  with 
new  type.  Another  new  dress  was  put  on,  August  2,  and  one  of  Taylor's  Napier 
presses  was  used  for  the  first  time,  —  an  improvement  which  greatly  bettered  the 
general  appearance  of  the  Herald. 

On  January  5,  1852,  the  imprint  was  changed  to  "John  M.  Barnard,  Proprietor; 
George  W.  Triggs  &  Co.,  Publishers."  This  remained  at  the  head  of  the  paper 
until  July  22,  when  the  publishers'  names  were  removed,  and  "John  M.  Barnard, 
Proprietor,"  stood  alone.  Mr.  Barnard  attended  only  to  the  business  department ; 
but  his  other  affairs  necessitated  frequent  absence,  and  W.  H.  Noyes  then  took  his 
place.  Mr.  Wallace  continued  in  charge  as  managing  editor  throughout  the  year, 
with  the  same  assistants  as  during  the  year  previous. 


History  of  the  Herald.  39 

The  circulation  of  the  Herald  this  year  was  not  so  large  as  in  185 1,  though  on 
May  15  an  edition  of  fbrtj  thousand  was  claimed,  and  on  October  13  proposals  were 
invited  for  a  supply  of  paper  at  the  rate  of  two  hundred  reams  per  week ;  a  sworn 
statement,  made  in  court  two  years  later,  gave  the  average  daily  issue  in  Deceni- 
ber,  1852,  as  fifteen  thousand  seven  hundred. 

Ten  columns  of  reading  matter  and  eighteen  of  advertisements  was  the  daily 
average  in  1852,  though  on  special  occasions  the  latter  space  was  infringed  upon. 
Telegraphic  matter  was  not  plentiful,  two  or  three  "stickfuls"  being  the  utmost 
limit  reached,  except  in  two  or  three  numbers.  The  national  conventions,  which 
nominated  Pierce  and  Scott  for  the  presidency,  were  quite  fully  reported  by  tele- 
graph, —  an  exception  to  the  general  rule.  The  Herald  gave  extended  accounts  of 
political  meetings  of  both  parties  in  the  city  and  surrounding  towns  during  this 
campaign ;  but  pursued  an  independent  course  editorially,  and  favored  neither 
candidate.  The  morning  after  the  election  (November  3)  returns  were  published 
from  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  cities  and  towns  in  Massachusetts,  eleven  in 
Maine,  twenty-one  in  New  Hampshire,  fifteen  in  Vermont,  Rhode  Island  complete, 
thirty-nine  in  Connecticut,  and  quite  full  reports  from  New  York,  Pennsylvania, 
Maryland,  Ohio,  Michigan,  Missouri,  Virginia,  Tennessee,  Delaware,  Kentucky, 
and  Louisiana,  —  sufficient  to  show,  beyond  a  doubt,  that  Pierce  was  elected.  The 
State  election,  a  week  later,  was  reported  in  the  morning  edition  only  to  the  extent 
of  forty  towns,  full  returns  borrowed  from  the  "Atlas"  being  given  in  the  afternoon 
to  make  up  for  the  deficiency. 

Clay  and  Webster  both  died  during  this  year,  the  former  on  June  29,  and  the 
latter  on  October  23,  and  the  circumstances  attending  the  demise  of  each  were 
reported  at  great  length.  The  paper  was  dressed  in  mourning  on  the  day  following 
Webster's  death,  and  also  on  the  day  of  his  funeral,  a  five-column  report  of  which 
was  printed,  headed  by  his  portrait.  The  evening  editions  were  also  suspended  as 
a  mark  of  respect  to  the  deceased ;  and  similar  notice  was  taken  on  November  30, 
the  day  of  the  memorial  ceremonies  in  Boston. 

Local  events  were  given  much  prominence.  During  February,  March,  April, 
and  May,  the  Legislature  was  discussing  a  prohibitory  liquor-law,  which  it  finally 
passed.  The  Herald  opposed  it  bitterly  from  the  first,  and  rejoiced  when  Governor 
Boutwell  vetoed  it.  But  the  bill  was  amended,  and  again  passed,  and  was  approved 
by  the  Governor  on  May  23.  It  is  worthy  of  note  here  that  the  first  seizure  of 
liquors  in  Boston,  under  this  law,  was  made  on  August  24. 

The  arrival  of  Kossuth,  and  his  reception  on  April  27,  were  reported  to  the 
extent  of  five  columns,  and  his  progress  through  the  State  was  followed  by  a  special 
reporter,  who  sent  in  from  two  to  five  columns  daily  until  May  19. 

Theatrical  and  musical  matters  were  chronicled  with  considerable  minuteness  ; 
and  this  was  a  year  in  which  a  number  of  notable  events  occurred.  Lola  Montez 
was  dancing  at  the  Howard  Athenaeum  in  February;  on  the  17th  of  that  month  Dr. 


40  History  of  the  Herald, 

Jones'  "Silver  Spoon"  was  first  produced  at  the  Museum,  with  Mr.  Warren  as 
Jefferson  Scattering  Batkins ;  Alboni  made  her  first  appearance  in  Boston,  at  the 
Melodeon,  on  October  19;  Sontag  gave  her  first  concert  here,  at  the  same  hall,  on 
November  9.  Tremont  Temple  was  destroyed  bj  fire  on  March  31 ;  the  old  Na- 
tional Theatre  shared  the  same  fate  on  April  22.  The  new  National  was  formally 
opened  on  November  2,  William  O.  Eaton,  the  first  editor  of  the  Herald,  delivering 
the  address  on  the  occasion  ;  and  Music  Hall  was  opened  by  a  festival,  on  November  20, 
at  which' Alboni,  Signor  San  Giovanni,  Signor  Rovero,  and  Signor  Arditi  appeared 
as  soloists,  with  the  Handel  and  Haydn  Society,  the  Musical  Education  Society,  the 
Musical  Fund  Society,  the  Germania  Serenade  Band,  and  the  German  Liedertafel. 
On  December  3,  books  were  opened  for  subscriptions  towards  building  the  Boston 
Theatre.  The  last  of  December  the  National  Theatre  management  petitioned  the 
City  Council  for  permission  to  give  performances  on  Saturday  evenings,  —  a  pro- 
ceeding then  forbidden  without  special  license. 

Other  local  events  of  note  were  the  great  fire  of  July  11,  which  originated  in  the 
Sailors'  Home  on  Purchase  street ;  and  the  burning  of  Chickering's  piano  manufac- 
tory and  adjacent  buildings  on  Washington  street,  nearly  opposite  the  Adams 
House,  on  December  3,  resulting  in  a  heavy  loss  of  property  and  the  death  of 
several  persons.     The  telegraphic  fire-alarm  was  put  in  operation  this  year. 

The  cutting  down  of  Fort  Hill  was  proposed  and  discussed  in  July,  but  not  until 
long  after  was  the  work  begun. 

The  year  1853  was  an  uneventful  one  in  the  history  of  the  Herald,  Mr. 
Barnard  remaining  sole  proprietor,  Mr.  Wallace  managing  editor,  and  the  assistant 
and  local  staff  unchanged. 

The  Herald  was  this  year  a  strictly  local  paper,  publishing  not  more  than  a 
"stickful"  of  news  by  telegraph  daily,  and  having  very  little  to  do  with  matters 
outside  the  State.  The  average  daily  circulation  (sworn  statement)  in  January  was 
sixteen  thousand  five  hundred  and  fifty-five ;  in  February,  nineteen  thousand  and 
forty ;  in  March,  eighteen  thousand  four  hundred  and  fifty-three ;  in  April,  eighteen 
thousand  six  hundred  and  three ;  in  May,  twenty-five  thousand  five  hundred  and 
sixty-four;  in  June,  sixteen  thousand  four  hundred  and  thirty-one;  in  July,  twenty- 
one  thousand  three  hundred  and  seventy;  in  August,  twenty-one  thousand  three 
hundred  and  twenty-one ;  in  September,  twenty-three  thousand  one  hundred  and 
eighty-eight;  in  October,  twenty-two  thousand  two  hundred  and  thirty-one;  in 
November,  twenty-two  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty;  and  in  December, 
twenty-three  thousand  two  hundred  and  ten ;  so  it  will  be  seen  that  there  was  a 
gradual  increase  through  the  year.  New  type  was  procured  on  January  24  and 
on  October  24,  and  the  paper  did  not  suffer  in  appearance  from  a  mechanical 
point  of  view. 

Among  the  prominent  events  of  which  "features"  were  made  this  year,  were 
the  Norwalk  railroad  disaster,  on  May  6 ;  the  debates  on  the  Hoosac  Tunnel  bill 


History  of  the  Herald.  41 

in  the  Legislature ;  the  proposal  to  introduce  horse-railroads  into  the  city  streets 
(which  was  strongly  opposed,  editorially,  as  an  infringement  of  the  rights  of  traffic 
and  travel  by  carriages)  ;  the  collision  on  the  Worcester  &  Providence  Railroad 
(Aug.  12),  whereby  thirteen  lives  were  lost,  etc.  The  morning  after  the  November 
election,  returns  from  but  one  hundred  and  thirty  towns  were  printed. 

In  July,  because  the  Herald  would  not  advertise  free  of  charge  the  time-table 
of  the  Eastern  Railroad,  Superintendent  Kinsman  forbade  all  persons  carrying  the 
paper  over  the  road,  either  as  freight  or  in  any  other  way ;  and,  in  consequence, 
that  official  and  his  road  received  an  amount  of  gratuitous  advertising,  in  the  editorial 
columns,  which  was  far  from  pleasing  to  him.  Peace  was  not  patched  up  for  many 
months ;  but  finally  the  Herald  carried  its  point,  and  the  railroad  carried  the 
papers. 

During  the  first  six  months  of  the  year  1854  the  Herald  published  sworn 
statements  of  its  average  daily  circulation,  as  follows  :  January,  twenty-five  thousand 
two  hundred  and  sixteen ;  February,  twenty-six  thousand  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  ;  March,  twenty-seven  thousand  one  hundred  and  seventy-three ;  April,  twenty- 
seven  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty-four;  May,  twenty-eight  thousand  five 
hundred  and  forty-eight ;  June,  thirty  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty-eight ;  thus 
showing  a  steady  increase.  The  long-coveted  letter-list  advertising  was  secured  for  the 
first  time  in  several  years.  The  Herald  of  1854  was  a  much  better  paper  than  that 
of  the  year  previous,  and  displayed  far  more  enterprise  in  obtaining  and  printing 
news.  Its  telegraphic  facilities  were  vastly  improved ;  and  from  a  column  and  a  half 
to  two  columns  of  news  by  wire  were  printed  daily.  Twelve  columns  of  reading 
matter  were  presented  each  day,  one  to  three  of  them  editorial ;  the  remainder,  for 
the  most  part,  "  live  "  news. 

On  April  i  occurred  the  second  enlargement  of  the  Daily  Herald  (the  first 
having  taken  place  Jan.  i,  1847),  ^^<^  ^^  came  out  with  columns  lengthened  two 
inches,  the  width  remaining  the  same,  and  the  pages  measuring  23  X  17  inches. 
The  editor  congratulated  himself  and  his  readers  upon  the  improvement.  After 
referring  to  the  increased  circulation,  "  We  cannot  furnish,"  he  wrote,  *'  nor  do  we 
want,  any  evidence  more  tangible  to  convince  our  readers  of  the  prosperity  of  the 
Herald.  To  ourselves  it  is  the  most  convincing  and  flattering  proof  that,  while 
the  paper  maintains  its  present  reputation,  it  is  destined  to  progress,  and  will  be 
recognized  by  the  people  as  the  friend  to  all  measures  that  tend  to  improve  their 
condition,  and  an  implacable  foe  to  all  things  which  retard  the  improvement  of  the 

government  and  the  people The  Herald  is  bound  to  beat  all  the 

penny  papers  in  the  world  from  and  after  this  date." 

A  new  dress  of  type  was  put  in  use  on  June  19,  and  other  improvements  were 
made  as  time  went  on. 

A  number  of  notable  local  events  occurred  during  the  year,  which  were  fully 
"  written  up  "  by  the  Herald  ;  among  them  the  riot  in  Chelsea  and  East  Boston,  on 


42  History  of  the  Herald. 

May  7,  between  the  Catholic  Irish  and  Protestants ;  the  arrest,  on  May  25,  of 
Andrew  Burns,  a  fugitive  slave,  and  the  consequent  riot  in  Court  square,  in  which 
James  Batchelder  was  killed ;  the  meeting  in  Faneuil  Hall,  the  trial,  etc.  (which 
sent  the  Herald's  circulation  up  to  forty  thousand  daily  for  a  week)  ;  the  fall  of  a 
granite  block  in  Broad  street,  causing  the  death  of  a  number  of  persons,  on  Aug.  23 ; 
the  execution,  in  East  Cambridge,  on  Sept.  29,  of  Casey,  the  Natick  murderer ;  the 
collision  in  the  harbor,  on  Nov.  25,  of  the  steamer  "  Ocean,"  bound  for  Bath,  Me.,  and 
the  steamer  "Canada,"  just  coming  in  from  Halifax,  N.S.,  resulting  in  the  destruction 
of  the  former  by  fire,  and  the  loss  of  many  lives.  Boston  voted,  Sept.  25,  to  annex 
Charlestown,  and  that  city  voted  itself  willing  on  Oct.  2;  but,  on  Oct.  21,  Chief 
Justice  Shaw  decided  that  the  act  authorizing  the  union  was  unconstitutional.  The 
consolidation  of  the  "  police  "  and  "night-watch"  was  effected  on  April  24.  The 
Boston  Theatre  was  formally  opened  on  Sept.  11. 

The  Herald  entered  upon  the  year  1855  under  favorable  auspices.  On  Feb. 
12  new  type  was  put  in  use,  the  "make-up"  varied  in  some  respects,  and  the 
announcement  made  that  thereafter  John  M.  Barnard  was  proprietor,  and  Bailey 
(Edwin  C.)  &  Lawrence  (A.  Milton)  were  the  publishers.  There  were  also  some 
changes  in  the  editorial  and  reportorial  staif  this  year.  Mr.  Henry  R.  Tracy,  who 
for  two  years  had  been  editing  the  "Literary  Museum,"  became  assistant  editor  of 
the  Herald,  which  position  he  held  for  a  long  period ;  he  was  also  at  one  time  its 
Washington  correspondent.  He  died  of  consumption,  at  his  home  in  Cambridge- 
port,  a  few  years  ago,  and  the  honors  paid  to  his  memory  must  be  fresh  in  the  minds 
of  our  readers.  He  was,  as  a  friend  has  said,  "a  sunbeam  in  the  fraternity,  of 
gentlest  manners  and  most  generous  disposition."  Mr.  Charles  H.  Andrews,  one 
of  the  present  editors  and  proprietors,  was  engaged  as  reporter  in  January. 

There  were  then  employed  in  the  composing-room  a  foreman  and  eight  com- 
positors ;  and  the  average  weekly  composition  bill  was  one  hundred  and  seventy-five 
dollars.  Mr.  George  G.  Bailey,  subsequently  foreman,  and  later  one  of  the  propri- 
etors of  the  Herald,  held  a  "  frarne  "  as  a  "  regular  "  in  the  composing-room,  for  the 
first  time,  in  March. 

This  year  but  one  edition  was  published  in  the  morning,  except  on  extraordinary 
occasions;  while  the  first  evening  edition  was  dated  12,  M.,  and  the  second,  1.30, 
P.M. ;  and  a  postscript  was  issued  at  2.30,  P.M.,  to  contain  the  latest  news,  for  city 
circulation.  Twelve  to  fourteen  columns  of  reading  matter  were  published  daily, 
two  of  which  were  editorial,  two  news  by  telegraph,  two  gleanings  from  exchanges, 
and  the  remainder  local  reports,  correspondence,  etc.  Considerable  space  was 
devoted  to  foreign  news,  the  Crimean  war  being  in  progress,  among  other  important 
events  abroad.  The  paper  held  an  independent  course  editorially  during  this 
year,  best  explained  by  the  following  extract  from  a  leader  the  day  after  the  city 
election  :  — ■ 

"  The  Herald  has  never  been  a  neutral  paper.     It  has  expressed  its  opinions 


History  of  the  Herald.  43 

freelj  upon  all  subjects  of  public  interest.  It  has  never  been  a  partisan  paper,  nor 
advocated  the  cause  of  any  political  party.  It  has  always  given  its  attention  to 
every  topic  that  was  prominently  before  the  public ;  published  reports  of  the  doings 
of  all  parties  fairly  and  impartially,  and  commented  upon  them  editorially  without 
fear  or  favor.  It  is,  and  has  been,  and  shall  continue  to  be,  so  long  as  it  remains  in 
our  hands,  an  Independent  People'' s  Press." 

Among  the  events  to  which  the  Herald  devoted  much  space  in  1855  were  sev- 
eral capital  trials ;  the  great  fire  on  Battery,  Lincoln,  and  People's  wharves,  t>n  April 
27;  the  discussion  and  passage.  May  21,  of  the  personal-liberty  bill,  by  the  Legisla- 
ture, over  the  Governor's  veto ;  the  liquor-law  riot  in  Portland,  on  June  3 ;  the  lay- 
ing of  the  corner-stone  of  the  Public  Library  building,  September  17 ;  the  rescue, 
on  October  9,  and  forwarding  to  Canada  by  the  "  underground  railroad,"  of  a  fugi- 
tive slave,  who  had  already  been  put  on  board  a  vessel  bound  South ;  the  trouble  in 
the  Fire  Department  over  the  introduction  of  a  steam  fire-engine ;  the  first  appear- 
ance of  Rachel,  the  great  French  actress,  at  the  Boston  Theatre,  on  October  21,  etc. 

On  the  morning  of  June  20  the  Herald  building  in  Williams  court  was  badly 
damaged  by  fire  originating  in  the  composing-room  of  the  "  Know-N.o thing  and 
Crusader"  ofiice,  in  the  upper  story.  The  Herald  composing-room,  editorial 
offices  and  press-room  were  flooded  with  water;  but  the  morning  edition  was 
issued  "on  time,"  by  strenuous  efforts  in  all  departments. 

The  average  daily  circulation  during  the  year  1855  was  claimed  to  have  been 
thirty  thousand,  but  was  probably  something  less. 

Early  in  1856  a  change  took  place  in  the  proprietorship  of  the  Herald,  Mr. 
Barnard  selling  out,  on  March  31,  to  Mr.  Edwin  C.  Bailey,  who,  the  previous  year, 
acquired  an  interest.  The  firm  of  Bailey,  Lawrence  &  Co.,  was  dissolved  by  mutual 
consent,  Messrs.  John  M.  Barnard  and  A.  Milton  Lawrence  retiring,  and  .Mr.  Bailey 
was  left  sole  proprietor  and  publisher,  though  an  "&  Co."  was,  for  a  time,  appended 
to  his  name  in  the  imprint.  In  announcing  the  change,  Mr.  Bailey  said,  in  the 
editorial  columns  :  — 

"The  paper  will  be  continued  in  the  same  spirit  and  be  conducted  on  the  same 
liberal  and  independent  principles  which  characterized  it  while  under  the  control  of 
its  former  proprietors,  and  which  gained  for  it  an  enviable  position  in  point  of  cir- 
culation and  influence  among  the  daily  papers  of  this  metropolis.  We  shall  con- 
tinue to  give  our  editorial  department  a  practical  character,  dealing  independently, 
impartially,  and  candidly,  with  every  question  that  affects  the  material  interests  of 
the  people.  We  follow  the  lead  of  no  political  party  or  religious  sect ;  we  have  no 
personal  interests  to  subserve,  in  conducting  this  journal,  nor  prejudices  to  gratif3% 
Our  highest  ambition  will  be  to  maintain  for  the  Herald  the  reputation  it  enjoys 
as  '  the  paper  for  the  people.'  " 

Subsequent  to  his  sale  of  the  Herald,  Mr.  Barnard  started  the  "  Daily  Evening 
Ledger,"  of  which  Mr.  A.  A.  Wallace,  so  long  on  the  editorial  staff"  of  the  Herald, 


44  History  of  the  Herald. 

became  the  editor.  The  "Ledger"  closely  resembled  the  Herald  in  appearance, 
and  was  for  a  time  the  medium  through  which  Mr.  Barnard  expressed  his  antagonism 
to  Mr.  Bailey.  First  issued  from  the  "Times"  building,  in  State  street,  it  was 
afterwards  published  in  Williams  court,  where  its  accounts  were  finally  closed,  after 
a  brief  resistance  to  the  force  of  circumstances.  Mr.  Barnard  returned  to  his  old 
business,  and  still  resides  in  Boston. 

Mr.  Justin  Andrews,  who  had  been  a  reporter  and  assistant  editor  on  the 
"  Times,"  accepted  an  invitation  to  assume  a  similar  position  on  the  Herald,  in 
March,  and  subsequently  became  one  of  its  news  managers,  retaining  the  office 
until  he  disposed  of  his  interest  in  1873. 

Mr.  Bailey  brought  to  his  new  task  a  great  deal  of  native  energy  and  enterprise, 
and  was  ably  seconded  by  the  Andrews  brothers,  and  the  other  gentlemen  connected 
with  the  paper,  in  his  efforts  to  make  the  Herald  a  thoroughly  live  journal.  The 
amount  of  reading  matter  published  was  not  largely  increased,  but  more  space  was 
devoted  to  news,  the  facilities  for  gathering  which  were  rapidly  improved  as  time 
went  on.  The  national  conventions  at  Cincinnati  (June  6)  and  at  Philadelphia 
(June  18),  by  which  Buchanan  and  Fremont  were  respectively  nominated  for  the 
presidency,  were  reported  by  special  despatches  from  "  a  correspondent  on  the  spot ;  " 
and  the  result  of  the  election,  on  November  5,  was  announced  on  the  following 
morning,  with  a  degree  of  detail  never  before  displayed  in  the  Herald's  columns, 
the  returns  being  very  full  and  complete.  Concerning  its  course  during  the  cam- 
paign, the  editor  wrote,  a  day  or  two  after  the  election  :  — 

"  One  of  our  contemporaries  says  that  the  Herald  has  alternately  pleased  and 
displeased  both  parties,  during  this  campaign.  That  is  our  opinion.  How  could  it 
be  different,  if  we  told  them  the  truth.?  —  and  that  was  our  only  aim." 

The  circulation  during  election  week  averaged  forty-one  thousand  six  hundred 
and  ninety-three  copies  daily ;  throughout  the  year  it  was  nearly  thirty  thousand,  — 
considerably  larger  than  during  the  preceding  twelvemonth ;  and  the  boast  that  it 
was  more  than  double  that  of  any  other  paper  in  Boston  undoubtedly  was  justified 
by  the  facts. 

Mechanically  the  paper  was  well  gotten  up.  New  type  was  put  in  use  on  Jan- 
uary 7  and  July  28,  and  on  the  latter  date  the  two  presses  which  had  been  in  use 
for  a  number  of  years  were  discarded,  and  a  new  four-cylinder  Hoe  press,  having  a 
capacity  for  ten  thousand  impressions  an  hour,  was  used  for  the  first  time.  Ten 
compositors  were  employed,  and  the  average  weekly  composition  bill  was  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  dollars. 

Among  the  events  of  1856,  reported  at  length  in  the  Herald,  were  a  lecture  in 
Tremont  Temple,  on  January  25,  by  Robert  Toombs,  who  defended  the  institution 
of  slavery;  the  great  festival  in  Music  Hall,  March  3,  on  the  occasion  of  the  unveil- 
ing of  the  Beethoven  statue;  the  strike  of  the  'longshoremen,  in  March,  against  the 
use  of  steam-engines  in  loading  and  unloading  vessels ;  the  Gerrish  market  fire,  on 


History  of  the  Herald.  45 

April  12;  the  first  appearance  in  Boston,  on  June  4,  of  Vestvali,  the  prima  donna; 
the  test,  on  Julj  9,  of  the  "Miles  Greenwood,"  the  first  steam  fire-engine  used  in 
Boston ;  the  great  fire  and  loss  of  life  on  North  and  Clark  streets,  on  July  29 ;  the 
inauguration  of  the  Franklin  statue  in  front  of  the  City  Hall,  trades  procession, 
firemen's  muster,  etc.,  on  September  17  (it  is  worth  noting  that  members  of  the 
Mercantile  Library  Association  declined  to  allow  John  Stephenson,  a  colored  man, 
to  walk  with  them  in  the  procession  on  this  occasion)  ;  the  murder,  on  December 
15,  by  one  McGee,  a  convict,  of  Deputy  Warden  Walker,  at  the  State  Prison ; 
and  the  murder  of  Warden  Tenney,  by  a  convict  named  Decatur,  on  Decem- 
ber 30. 

The  Herald  in  1857  was  a  much  better  paper  than  it  had  ever  been,  the  Messrs. 
Andrews,  upon  whom  the  burden  of  its  management  devolved,  sparing  no  effort  to 
make  it  thoroughly  newsy  and  bright  in  every  department.  Beginning  the  year  with 
a  daily  circulation  of  about  thirty  thousand,  in  April  it  reached  forty-two  thousand ; 
and  when,  on  the  23d  of  that  month,  the  subscription  list,  carriers'  routes,  agencies, 
etc.,  of  the  "  Daily  Times,"  were  acquired,  by  purchase,  there  was  another  consid- 
erable increase,  the  issue  of  May  30  reaching  forty-five  thousand  one  hundred  and 
twenty.  A  great  amount  of  space  was  devoted  to  local  matters,  and,  for  the  first 
time,  affairs  in  Charlestown  and  Cambridge  were  fully  reported.  The  year  was  a 
good  one  for  home  news,  as  during  it  three  murders,  an  execution,  seven  capital 
trials,  the  Kalloch  scandal,  and  other  affairs  likely  to  make  a  lively  demand  for 
papers,  occurred.  Other  notable  local  events  were  the  inauguration  of  the  Warren 
statue,  on  Bunker  Hill,  June  24;  the  suspension  of  specie  payments  by  Boston 
banks,  October  14,  etc.  A  proposal  to  uniform  the  police  excited  a  long  discussion 
in  the  city  papers.  Admirers  of  the  "green  diamond"  maybe  interested  to  know 
that  the  first  game  of  base  ball  reported  in  the  Herald  was  one  which  took  place 
on  the  Common,  June  30,  between  the  Olympics  of  this  city,  and  the  Massapoags,  01 
Sharon,  —  twelve  men  on  a  side,  —  in  which  the  latter  were  victorious.  The  advis- 
ability of  selling  the  only  steam  fire-engine  the  city  possessed  was  argued  in  the 
papers.  Experiments  in  burning  coal  in  locomotive  engines  were  reported  in 
August.  Among  events  on  the  stage,  this  year,  were  the  first  production  of  "  Three 
Fast  Men,"  by  Lucille  and  Helen  Western,  at  the  National  Theatre,  March  11 ;  the 
first  opera  ever  sung  in  German,  in  Boston,  —  "  Fidelio,"  at  the  Boston  Theatre, 
April  2,  with  Mme.  Johannsen  in  the  title  role,  under  the  management  of  Carl 
Bergman,  with  Theodore  Thomas  leading  the  orchestra;  the  appearance  of  Edwin 
Booth,  in  tragedy  andyarce,  on  April  27  ;  Matilda  Heron,  in  "  Camille,"  on  May  14; 
the  debut  of  Avonia  Jones,  May  18,  etc. 

General  news  was  by  no  means  neglected  this  year,  and  the  long  reports  of 
congressional  proceedings  by  "  Proctor"  were  a  feature  of  the  telegraph  columns. 
Political  matters,  meetings,  and  speeches  were  reported  at  length,  one  party  re- 
ceiving as  much  notice  as  another. 


46  History  of  the  Herald, 

Mechanically  the  paper  was  well  gotten  up  and  printed,  two  suits  of  new  type 
being  procured  during  the  year. 

Mr.  Bailej  resigned  the  office  of  Postmaster  on  October  i,  and  thereafter 
"E.  C.  Bailej,  Editor  and  Proprietor,"  took  the  place  of  "  Bailej  &  Co."  in  the 
imprint.  From  that  date  until  he  disposed  of  the  paper  Mr.  Bailej  gave  his 
undivided  attention  to  the  Herali). 

On  Januarj  22  the  sjstem  of  ''department"  advertising  was  adopted,  i.e.,  the 
publication,  at  low  rates,  of  advertisements  of  "situations  wanted,"  "for  sale," 
"to  let,"  etc.     It  was  an  immediate  success. 

In  1858  the  Herald  continued  its  prosperous  career  in  the  same  general 
direction  as  during  the  preceding  jear.  Its  telegraphic  facilities  were  increased, 
and  events  in  all  parts  of  the  countrj  were  well  reported.  But  local  news  was  most 
carefullj  attended  to,  and  the  citj  and  its  suburbs  were  so  thoroughlj  patrolled  bj 
efficient  reporters  that  nothing  of  importance  occurred  without  receiving  due 
attention  in  the  Herald's  columns.  The  court  reports  were  written  up  in  a  racj 
stjle,  which  caused  them  to  be  widelj  read;  and  the  familiar  line,  "Affairs  About 
Home,"  alwajs  headed  something  readable.    • 

The  editorial  and  reportorial  staff  this  year  included  eleven  persons,  and  the 
force  in  the  mechanical  departments  was  correspondinglj  larger  than  before. 

A  new  six-cjlinder  Hoe  press,  ordered  in  Maj  of  the  previous  jear,  was 
first  put  in  use  on  April  26,  bj  the  side  of  the  four-cjlinder  press  from  the  same 
maker,  and  frequentlj  both  of  these  were  taxed  to  their  utmost  to  supplj  the 
demand  for  papers.  The  bills  for  white  paper  during  1858  aggregated  over  seventj 
thousand  dollars,  which,  in  those  anti-war  times,  was  a  large  sum.  The  circu- 
lation averaged  over  fortj  thousand  per  diem,  and  frequentlj  ran  up  ten  thousand 
more. 

In  1859  the  sjstem  of  keeping  an  accurate  account  of  the  circulation  was  inau- 
gurated, and  the  actual  figures  of  each  daj's  issue  were  recorded.  From  this  record 
it  is  learned  that  the  average  daily  circulation  in  Januarj  was  fortj-one  thousand  one 
hundred  and  ninetj-three ;  in  Februarj,  fortj-three  thousand  and  fiftj-two ;  in 
March,  fortj-seven  thousand  and  eightj ;  in  April,  fiftj  thousand  and  eightj-three ; 
in  Maj,  forty-eight  thousand  and  fiftj-one ;  in  June,  fortj-seven  thousand  six  hun- 
dred and  ninety;  in  July,  forty-nine  thousand  two  hundred  and  seventy-two;  in 
August,  fifty  thousand  four  hundred  and  forty;  in  September,  fifty  thousand  one 
hundred  and  sixty;  in  October,  fifty  thousand  four  hundred  and  ninety;  in  Novem- 
ber, fifty  thousand  eight  hundred  and  three ;  and  in  December,  fifty-three  thousand 
and  twenty-six,  —  a  steady  gain  throughout  the  year.  On  days  when  events  of 
special  importance  were  reported,  the  editions  were,  of  course,  much  larger.  For 
instance,  on  December  3,  the  day  after  the  execution  of  John  ("  Ossawattomie") 
Brown,  fifty-nine  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty  copies  were  printed ;  and  these 
figures  were  nearly  reached  on  several  other  occasions. 


History  of  the  Herald.  47 

Twelve  compositors  were  regularly  employed  this  year,  and  the  average  weekly 
composition  bill  was  two  hundred  dollars. 

The  year  i860  brought  the  exciting  presidential  campaign,  which  resulted  in  the 
election  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  Great  pains  were  taken  to  keep  the  Herald's  readers 
fully  informed  of  the  movements  of  all  political  parties,  and  its  long  reports  of  the 
national  conventions  and  of  political  meetings,  demonstrations,  speeches,  etc.,  in  all 
parts  of  the  country,  especially  in  New  England,  brought  it  to  the  notice  of  many 
new  readers.  The  average  daily  circulation  for  the  year  was  a  little  over  fifty-four 
thousand,  though  during  some  months  it  was  much  larger.  On  January  10  an 
edition  of  seventy-two  thousand  three  hundred  and  sixty  copies  was  printed  of  the 
paper,  containing  an  account  of  the  Pemberton  Mill  disaster  at  Lawrence.  The  re- 
port of  the  Heenan-Sayers  prize-fight  brought  the  edition  of  April  30  up  to  sixty 
thousand.  The  elections  (National  and  State),  on  November  6,  created  a  demand 
which  could  only  be  satisfied  by  an  edition  of  seventy-three  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  fifty-two,  —  the  highest  reached  since  the  Webster  trial.  The  white-paper  bill 
that  year  was  a  little  over  eighty-seven  thousand  dollars.  Twelve  compositors  were 
employed,  whose  weekly  bills  averaged  two  hundred  dollars.  The  salary  list  aggre- 
gated thirty-six  thousand  dollars,  and  the  sum  paid  for  telegraphic  despatches  was 
more  than  six  thousand  dollars. 

Mr.  E.  B.  Haskell,  now  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Herald,  entered  the  office 
as  reporter  in  i860,  and  was  soon  promoted  to  an  editorial  position. 

A  year  later  (1861)  Mr.  R.  M.  Pulsifer,  another  of  the  present  proprietors, 
entered  the  business  department  of  the  Herald. 

The  breaking  out  of  the  civil  war  in  the  spring  of  1861  created  a  great  demand 
for  news,  and  an  increase  in  the  circulation  of  all  the  daily  papers  was  the  imme- 
diate result.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  here  that  the  Herald  warmly  espoused 
the  cause  of  the  Union,  and  that  the  events  of  that  stirring  period  were  faithfully 
chronicled  in  its  columns.  The  average  daily  circulation  in  January  was  fifty-eight 
thousand  two  hundred  and  seventy;  in  February  it  was  one  thousand  larger;  in 
March  another  one  thousand  was  added ;  and  in  April  seventy-three  thousand  and 
ninety-four  was  the  average  issue.  The  Herald's  report  of  the  attack  on  Fort 
Sumter  was  printed  in  eighty-five  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty-two  papers ; 
and  the  assault  on  the  Sixth  Massachusetts  Regiment  in  Baltimore  ran  the  edition 
of  April  20  up  to  ninety-two  thousand  four  hundred  and  forty-eight,  —  then  the 
largest  number  of  Heralds  ever  published  and  sold  in  one  day.  The  circulation 
remained  up  among  the  seventy  thousands  during  May,  June,  July,  August,  and 
September,  when  it  began  to  drop  a  little,  and,  in  December,  had  declined  to  sixty- 
three  thousand  six  hundred  and  fifty-three.  The  white-paper  bill  for  1861  was 
over  one  hundred  and  eight  thousand  dollars ;  forty  thousand  dollars  were  paid  in 
salaries,  and  six  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  for  telegraph  tolls. 

The  average  daily  circulation  during  1862  was  sixty-five  thousand  one  hundred 


48  History  of  the  Herald. 

and  sixteen.  Important  war  news,  however,  sometimes  temporarily  sent  it  up  as 
high  as  eightj-four  thousand ;  but  in  the  latter  part  of  the  year  there  was  a  heavy 
falling  off,  the  December  average  being  but  thirty-four  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
fifty-nine.  This  was  owing,  in  part,  to  a  period  of  inactivity  at  the  seat  of  war;  or, 
more  properly,  a  time  during  which  no  great  battles  were  fought,  and  when  the 
anxiety  for  war  news,  so  strong  at  first,  had  begun  to  decline,  as  the  conflict  became 
an  ".old  story."  There  was  plenty  of  news,  but,  as  the  newsboys  used  to  say, 
"  nothing  to  holler."  Another,  and  perhaps  the  most  immediate  cause  of  the 
decline,  was  the  increase  of  the  price  of  the  Herald,  on  December  i,  to  two  cents 
per  copy,  —  a  step  rendered  necessary  by  the  great  cost  of  white  paper  at  that  time. 
The  paper  bills  of  the  Herald  that  year  amounted  to  ninety-three  thousand  five 
hundred  dollars ;  the  salaries  paid  its  attacJids  reached  forty-three  thousand  dollars, 
—  an  increase  of  three  thousand  dollars  over  the  previous  year,  —  and  the  telegraph 
bills  aggregated  over  eight  thousand  dollars. 

In  1863  the  average  daily  circulation  was  thirty-six  thousand  one  hundred  and 
twenty-eight ;  though  in  July,  during  the  draft  riots  and  Lee's  march  into  Pennsyl- 
vania, the  editions  ran  as  high  as  seventy-four  thousand.  The  presses  then  in  use 
having  been  found  inadequate  to  supply  the  demand  for  papers,  the  four-cylinder 
Hoe  was  discarded  and  its  place  filled  in  July  by  a  six-cylinder  machine,  built 
especially  for  the  Herald  by  the  same  maker.  This  was  the  second  six-cylinder 
put  in  use,  and  the  two  were  run  side  by  side  for  ten  years  thereafter.  The  paper 
bill  in  1863  was  ninety-five  thousand  dollars;  the  salaries,  forty-six  thousand  five 
hundred  dollars,  —  an  increase  of  three  thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  —  and  the  cost 
of  telegraphing,  eight  thousand  dollars. 

The  year  1864  exhibited  an  improvement  in  the  circulation,  which  averaged 
thirty-seven  thousand  and  eighty-eight.  There  were  no  very  "large  days"  in  that 
year ;  the  heaviest  single  edition  was  fifty  thousand  eight  hundred  and  eighty,  but 
the  books  showed  a  steady,  regular  demand.  The  price  of  white  paper  continued  to 
rise,  and  the  proprietors  of  Bostop  dailies  were  forced  to  increase  the  price  of  their 
journals  accordingly  in  order  to  make  a  fair  profit.  A  mutual  agreement  was 
entered  upon,  therefore,  and  went  into  effect  on  August  15,  whereby  the  Herald 
charged  three  cents  per  copy  and  the  other  dailies  five  cents.  The  white-paper  bill 
for  1864  was  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  thousand  dollars ;  the  salaries  amounted 
to  fifty-eight  thousand  dollars,  and  telegraph  charges  of  ten  thousand  five  hundred 
dollars  were  paid. 

On  April  15  a  fire,  originating  in  the  press-room,  damaged  that,  the  editorial 
offices,  and  the  composing-room,  to  a  considerable  extent,  and  the  building  being 
deluged  with  water  used  to  extinguish  the  flames,  the  work  of  getting  out  the  paper 
was  pursued  with  considerable  diflSculty.  The  loss  by  fire  and  water  was  about  one 
thousand  five  hundred  dollars. 

On  the  ist  of  June,  1865,  the  price  of  the  Herald  was  reduced  to  its  old  figures. 


History  of  the  Herald.  49 

—  two  cents  a  copy.  The  circulation  that  year  averaged  thirty-seven  thousand  six 
hundred  and  seventeen  daily,  though  in  April  it  was  forty-nine  thousand  and  six, 
in  May  forty  thousand  two  hundred  and  ninety-three,  and  in  June  and  July  about 
the  same.  The  largest  issue  in  one  day  was  eighty-three  thousand  five  hundred  and 
twenty,  April  15,  when  the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln  was  reported.  The 
report  of  the  evacuation  of  Richmond  sold  sixty  thousand  Heralds  on  April  3,  and 
an  equal  number  was  disposed  of  April  lo,  when  Lee's  surrender  was  announced. 
The  paper  bill  of  this  year  was  about  the  same  as  that  of  the  year  previous ;  but  the 
telegraph  expenses  ran  up  to  fifteen  thousand  dollars, — an  increase  of  four  thousand 
five  hundred  dollars. 

The  Herald's  circulation  in  1866  averaged  forty-five  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  forty-eight  daily.  The  Fenian  operations  on  the  Canadian  border,  during  the 
first  half  of  the  year,  were  fully  reported  by  special  correspondents  with  the  "Boys 
in  Green,"  and  on  several  occasions  these  reports  sold  an  edition  of  seventy  thousand 
and  more.  Other  events  of  note  held  the  circulation  well  up,  and  the  increase  over 
the  daily  average  of  the  preceding  year  was  eight  thousand  two  hundred  and  thirty- 
one  copies. 

Twenty-one  compositors  were  then  regularly  employed,  and  the  average  weekly 
composition  bill  was  five  hundred  dollars.  Paper  that  year  cost  one  hundred  and 
fifty-two  thousand  dollars,  and  the  telegraph  bill  was  fifteen  thousand  five  hundred 
dollars. 

In  1867  seventy  persons  were  on  the  Herald's  pay-roll,  —  a  larger  number  than 
ever  before.  The  circulation  showed  a  steady  increase,  beginning  with  an  average 
daily  issue  of  forty-seven  thousand  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  copies  in  January,  and 
reaching  an  average  of  fifty-three  thousand  one  hundred  and  seven  in  December ; 
the  average  for  the  whole  year  being  fifty-two  thousand  one  hundred  and  eighteen. 
On  several  occasions  the  daily  editions  reached  sixty  thousand ;  and  the  election 
returns  raised  the  number,  on  Nov.  4,  to  sixty-eight  thousand  one  hundred  and 
sixty,  and,  on  November  5,  to  seventy-two  thousand  seven  hundred  and  twenty.  The 
paper  bill  for  that  year  was  one  hundred  and  fifty-six  thousand  dollai'S,  and  the 
expense  of  telegraphing,  twenty-three  thousand  dollars. 

The  impeachment  of  President  Johnson  early  in  the  year,  and  the  presidential 
campaign  which  came  later,  aided  in  swelling  the  Herald's  circulation  in  1868,  and 
its  increase  over  that  of  1867  was  two  thousand  six  hundred  and  twenty-two  copies 
daily,  the  average  circulation  of  the  entire  twelvemonth  being  fifty-four  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  forty.  On  twelve  days  the  number  of  copies  sold  exceeded  sixty 
thousand ;  the  report  of  the  October  elections  necessitated  an  edition  of  sixty-six 
thousand  nine  hundred  and  sixty;  and  the  returns  of  the  presidential  election, 
seventy-one  thousand  five  hundred  and  twenty,  and  seventy-eight  thousand  and  two, 
on  Nov.  3  and  4,  respectively.  The  paper  bill  for  1868  was  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
three  thousand  dollars,  and  the  cost  of  telegraphing,  twenty-eight  thousand  dollars. 
4 


50  History  of  the  Herald. 


V. 

THE    HERALD   FROM    1869  TO    1878. 

THE  HERALD  PURCHASED  BY  ITS  PRESENT  PROPRIETORS. — PROMISES  AND  PRE- 
DICTIONS, AND  HOW  THEY  HAVE  BEEN  FULFILLED. — THE  IMPORTANT  EVENTS 
OF  THE  LAST  DECADE. — GROWTH  OF  THE  HERALD's  CIRCULATION. — THE 
ORGANIZATION   AND    SYSTEM    OF    THE    OFFICE. 

In  1869  occurred  an  important  event  in  the  Herald's  history.  Mr.  Bailey,  who 
had  acquired  an  interest  in  1855,  and  became  sole  proprietor"  in  1856,  decided  to  sell 
out;  and  on  April  i  it  was  announced  that  he  had  disposed  of  the  paper,  its  good- 
will, subscription  list,  agencies,  advertising  patronage,  type,  machinery,  in  fact 
everything  connected  with  it,  to  Messrs.  Royal  M.  Pulsifer,  Edwin  B.  Haskell, 
Charles  H.  Andrews,  Justin  Andrews,  and  George  G.  Bailey.  All  of  these  gentle- 
men were  at  that  time,  and  had  for  some  years  previously  (as  noted  before)  been 
connected  with  the  Herald,  the  first  named  in  the  business  department,  the  three 
next  on  the  editorial  staff,  and  the  latter  as  foreman  of  the  composing-room. 

In  announcing  their  purchase,  the  firm,  which  was  then,  and  has  ever  since 
been,  styled  R.  M.  Pulsifer  &  Co.,  said,  in  the  editorial  column  on  April  i  :  — 

"We  shall  use  our  best  endeavors  to  make  the  Herald  strictly  a  newspaper, 
with  the  freshest  and  most  trustworthy  intelligence  of  all  that  is  going  on  in  this 
busy  age ;  and  to  this  end  we  shall  spare  no  expense  in  any  department. 
The  Herald  will  be  in  the  future,  as  it  has  been  in  the  past,  essentially  a  people's 
paper,  the  organ  of  no  clique  or  party,  advocating  at  all  proper  times  those  meas- 
ures which  tend  to  promote  the  welfare  of  our  country,  and  to  secure  the  greatest 
good  to  the  greatest  number.  It  will  exert  its  influence  in  favor  of  simplicity  and 
economy  in  the  administration  of  the  governmenrt,  and  toleration  and  liberality  in 
our  social  institutions.  It  will  not  hesitate  to  point  out  abuses,  or  to  commend  good 
measures,  from  whatever  source  they  come,  and  it  will  contain  candid  reports  of  all 
proceedings  which  go  to  make  up  the  discussions  of  current  topics.  It  will  give  its 
readers  all  the  news,  condensed  when  necessary,  and  in  an  intelligible  and  readable 
form,  with  a  free  use  of  the  telegraph  by  reliable  reporters  and  correspondents. 
.  .  .  .  The  Herald  is  firmly  established  upon  a  permanent  foundation,  and  we 
assure  our  old  friends,  with  whom  we  cordially  renew  our  relations,  that  we  shall  do 
everything  in  our  power  to  secure  its  popularity  in  the  future  by  deserving  their 
patronage." 


History  of  the  Herald.  51 

How  well  these  promises  and  predictions  have  been  fulfilled,  the  readers  of  the 
Herald  are  aware. 

The  Herald,  under  its  new  management,  showed  great  enterprise,  and  during 
the  year  the  circulation  rose  from  a  daily  average  of  fifty-three  thousand  four  hun- 
dred and  sixty-five  in  January,  to  sixty  thousand  five  hundred  and  thirty-five  in 
December,  the  increase  being  regular  and  permanent,  and  not  caused  by  any  "  spurts  " 
arising  from  extraordinary  events.  The  largest  daily  issue  was  seventy-five  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  forty-four,  on  Sept.  9,  the  day  after  the  great  storm ;  but,  aside 
from  that,  sixty-eight  thousand  was  the  highest  number  of  papers  printed  in  one 
day,  and  the  average  for  the  year  was  fifty-seven  thousand  and  sixty-seven.  Seventy- 
five  men  were  on  the  paj'-roll,  twenty-four  of  whom  were  compositors,  and  the 
average  weekly  composition  bill  was  five  hundred  and  forty  dollars.  The  bills  for 
paper  and  telegraphing  that  year  were  one  hundred  and  twenty-two  thousand,  and 
twentv-two  thousand  dollars,  respectively. 

The  Herald  job-printing  office,  which,  up  to  that  date,  had  been  carried  on  in 
connection  with  the  paper  by  the  proprietors,  was,  on  Jan.  i,  1870,  sold  to  Mr.  W. 
P.  Bailey,  who  had  been  in  charge  of  it  for  two  years  previous. 

On  New  Year's  Day,  1870,  the  Herald  was  enlarged  (for  the  third  time)  to  its 
present  size,  another  column  being  added  to  its  width,  and  the  length  of  its  pages 
being  increased  in  symmetrical  proportion.  The  price  was  not  raised,  however,  and 
the  reading  public  was  quick  to  appreciate  the  advantages  of  the  change,  as  is  proved 
by  the  rapid  rise  in  the  circulation.  The  j^ear  was  a  good  one  for  news,  both  of  a 
local  and  general  character,  and  great  pains  were  taken  to  secure  full  reports  of 
every  occurrence  of  note  at  home  and  abroad.  The  "Fenian  raid "  in  May  was 
closely  followed  and  faithfully  chronicled  by  special  correspondents,  and  the 
Herald's  reports  sold  as  many  as  ninety-five  thousand  papers  on  several  days.  The 
Franco-Prussian  war  aided  in  sending  the  circulation  along  during  the  latter  part  of 
the  3'ear,  and  reports  of  several  important  engagements  increased  the  daily  issue 
to  more  than  ninety  thousand.  On  Sept.  3  the  circulation,  for  the  first  time,  passed 
above  one  hundred  thousand,  the  paper  containing  the  account  of  the  battle  of 
Sedan  reaching  a  sale  of  over  one  hundred  and  five  thousand  copies.  "This,"  said 
the  editor,  on  the  day  following,  "was  a  daj^'s  work  unprecedented  in  Boston,  and, 
considering  the  respective  fields  of  circulation,  unequalled  in  New  York."  The 
average  daily  circulation  for  the  entire  year  was  seventy-three  thousand  one  hundred 
and  twenty-nine,  —  an  increase  of  sixteen  thousand  and  sixty-two  over  that  of  the 
preceding  twelvemonth. 

Finding  that  it  was  impossible,  with  the  growing  circulation  of  the  paper,  to 
supply  the  demand  with  the  two  six-cylinder  presses,  printing  from  type,  it  was 
determined,  early  in  the  year,  to  stereotype  the  forms,  so  that  duplicate  plates  could 
be  used  simultaneously  on  both  presses.  The  requisite  machinery  was  introduced, 
therefore,  and  on  June  8,  1870,  it  was  put  in  use  for  the  first  time.     Since  then  the 


52  History  of  the  Herald. 

Herald  has  been  printed  from  stereotype  plates,  and  is  the  only  paper  in  Boston 
employing  this  method,  the  others  printing  direct  from  the  type. 

In  1871  the  average  daily  circulation  was  eighty-three  thousand  nine  hundred 
and  twenty-nine,  a  gain  of  nearly  eleven  thousand  over  that  of  1870.  The  increase 
was  steady  throughout  the  year ;  while  the  dail}'  average  for  January  was  seventy- 
nine  thousand  six  hundred  and  eleven,  that  for  December  was  ninety  thousand  one 
hundred  and  eighty.  Several  times  during  the  intervening  period  the  daily  issue 
overran  one  hundred  thousand ;  notably  on  August  28,  when  one  hundred  and 
eleven  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty  Heralds,  containing  a  description  of  the 
Eastern  Railroad  disaster,  at  Revere,  were  sold;  on  October  10,  11,  and  14,  when 
one  hundred  and  thirteen  thousand  two  hundred  and  eighty,  one  hundred  and  eight 
thousand,  and  one  hundred  thousand  and  eight}'  copies,  respectively,  were  disposed 
of  to  people  anxious  to  learn  the  particulars  of  the  great  conflagration  in  Chicago ; 
and  on  November  8,  when  the  election  returns  were  printed,  in  an  edition  of  one 
hundred  thousand  three  hundred  and  twenty.  Another  "big  day"  was  July  12, 
when  the  Orange  riot  in  New  York  was  reported,  and  ninety-six  thousand  two  hun- 
dred and  forty  copies  of  the  Herald  were  sold. 

On  October  i,  1871,  Mr.  George  G.  Bailey  disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  paper 
to  the  other  proprietors,  and  retired  from  the  firm. 

The  year  1872  brought  a  further  increase  in  circulation,  the  daily  average  being 
ninety-three  thousand  four  hundred  and  ninety,  nearly  ten  thousand  more  than  that 
ofi87i.  The  occasions  were  quite  frequent  when  the  editions  ran  above  one  hun- 
dred thousand,  no  less  than  thirty  such  being  noted  on  the  books.  On  January  8, 
the  assassination  of  James  Fisk,  Jr.,  sold  one  hundred  and  thirteen  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  sixty  copies ;  the  destruction  of  the  incomplete  Jubilee  Coliseum  by  a 
gale  created  a  demand  for  one  hundred  and  eight  thousand  two  hundred  and  forty 
copies,  on  April  27  ;  a  murder  at  the  North  End  excited  the  curiosity  of  one  hundred 
and  nineteen  thousand  two  hundred  and  eighty  Herald  buyers,  on  July  19 ;  the  Octo- 
ber election  news  required  an  edition  of  one  hundred  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
forty-eight,  and  the  returns  of  the  November  election,  editions  of  one  hundred  and 
twelve  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety-two,  one  hundred  and  nineteen  thousand 
and  seventy-six,  and  one  hundred  and  ten  thousand  six  hundred  and  six,  on  the  5th, 
6th,  and  7th  respectively. 

The  first  Bullock  perfecting  press  ever  used  north  of  New  York  was  put  in 
operation  in  the  Herald  office  in  June,  1872,  and  by  its  aid  the  editions,  which  had 
become  too  large  for  the  capacity  of  the  two  Hoe  presses,  were  printed  with  greater 
despatch.  This  press  "feeds"  itself  from  a  continuous  roll,  prints  both  sides,  cuts 
and  delivers  the  papers  complete,  at  the  rate  of  eighteen  thousand  to  twenty  thousand 
per  hour. 

The  great  fire  of  Nov.  9,  10,  was,  of  course,  the  e\^nt  of  the  year  1872,  and  the 
resources  of  Boston  newspapers  were  taxed  to  the  utmost  to  supply  the  demand  for 


History  of  the  Herald.  53 

details  of  the  Calamity.  That  week  was  a  hard  one  for  everybody  connected  with  the 
daily  press.  The  beautiful  new  building  of  the  "Transcript"  was  destroyed;  the 
"Post"  building  was  in  such  imminent  danger  that  a  speedy  removal  of  much  of 
the  material  was  considered  necessary ;  and  at  one  time  it  seemed  scarcely  possible 
that  the  march  of  the  conflagration  could  be  stopped  before  it  involved  the  "Journal," 
Herald,  and  "  Globe"  offices  in  the  common  ruin.  But  these  papers  were  spared, 
with  the  "Advertiser"  and  "Traveler,"  to  chronicle  the  exciting  events  of  those 
terrible  days  and  nights.  Nearly  every  attache  of  the  Herald  was  on  duty  for 
forty-eight  hours  continuously,  and  many  of  the  editors  and  reporters  for  even  a 
longer  period,  without  rest  or  sleep.  Editors  became  reporters  for  the  nonce,  and, 
like  them,  explored  the  dangerous  regions  of  the  "burnt  district,"  at  the  risk  of  life 
and  limb,  returning,  with  smoke-grimed  hands  and  faces,  to  report  the  progress  of 
the  devastating  element.  All  worked  unceasingly,  from  the  editor-in-chief  to  the 
"  devil "  in  the  composing-room ;  and  the  clang  of  the  presses  was  heard  from  morn- 
ing until  night,  and  from  night  until  morning.  The  first  edition  of  The  Sunday 
Herald  of  Nov.  lo  contained  five  columns  of  fire-reports,  and  extras  were  issued  at 
frequent  intervals  through  the  day,  with  additional  particulars  as  fast  as  they  could 
be  gathered.  On  Monday  morning  sixteen  columns  concerning  the  conflagration 
were  published ;  on  Tuesday,  twelve ;  on  Wednesday,  eleven ;  on  Thursday  and 
Friday,  six  each ;  on  Saturday,  ten ;  and  so  on.  No  less  than  one  hundred  and  nine 
thousand  two  hundred  and  fifty  copies  of  The  Sunday  Herald  were  sold.  On 
Monday  the  two  six-cylinder  Hoe  presses  and  the  Bullock  press  were  run  at  their 
utmost  speed,  the  total  number  of  Heralds  printed  that  day  being  two  hundred 
and  twenty  thousand,  and  even  then  the  supply  ran  short  of  the  demand.  On 
Tuesday  one  hundred  and  fifty-four  thousand  four  hundred  and  eighty-two  copies* 
were  sold,  and  immense  editions  were  issued  daily  for  a  long  period  thereafter. 

On  the  ist  of  January,  1873,  Mr.  Justin  Andrews,  who  had  been  connected  with 
the  Herald  as  one  of  its  editors  since  1856,  and  as  one  of  the  proprietors  who 
succeeded  Mr.  E.  C.  Bailey  in  1S69,  sold  his  interest  in  the  paper  to  his  partners, 
Messi-s.  Pulsifer,  Haskell,  and  Charles  H.  Andrews,  and  retired  from  newspaper  life 
altogether. 

During  seven  months  of  1873  the  average  daily  circulation  exceeded  one 
hundred  thousand,  and  in  the  remaining  five  it  so  nearly  reached  that  amount  that 
the  average  for  the  year  was  one  hundred  and  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
fiftj'-three,  —  a  gain  of  eight  thousand  two  hundred  and  sixty-three  over  that  of  the 
preceding  year.  The  Geneva  Conference,  the  Credit  Mobilier  scandal,  and  other 
events  of  national  importance,  increased  the  issue  on  several  days  as  high  as  one 
hundred  and  thirty-seven  thousand.  Fifty  compositors  were  emploj'ed  this  jear, 
and  the  average  weekly  bill  for  composition  was  twelve  hundred  dollars. 

In  1874  the  average  daily  circulation  was  one  hundred  and  seven  thousand  three 
hundred  and  fifty-one,  —  five  thousand  five  hundred  and  ninety-eight  more  per  day 


54  History  of  the  Herald. 

than  in  1S73,  —  and  there  were  few  "big  days"  to  swell  the  average,  the  editions 
being  remarkably  uniform  in  size  throughout  the  year.  The  largest  single  day's  sale 
was  on  November  4,  —  one  hundred  and  thirty-nine  thousand  two  hundred  and 
twelve  copies,  containing  the  election  returns.  The  Beecher  and  Tilton  statements 
and  reports  of  the  trial  of  the  "  Brooklyn  Scandal"  case  created  a  demand,  on  several 
occasions,  which  from  one  hundred  and  thirty  thousand  to  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
seven  thousand  copies  were  necessary  to  satisfy;  and  the  report  of  the  "  second  fire" 
in  Chicago,  in  July,  sold  one  hundred  and  thirty  thousand  and  eighty-six  copies. 
In  December  the  two  six-cylinder  presses  were  taken  out  of  the  press-room,  and 
their  places  filled  with  new  Bullock  perfecting  presses,  similar  to  that  introduced 
two  years  previous,  but  with  a  number  of  iinprovements  which  increased  their 
capacity  for  speed.  Fift3'--four  compositors  were  employed  in  1874,  and  the  force  in 
the  other  departments  was  correspondingly  large. 

The  average  daily  circulation  in  1875  was  a  little  over  five  thousand  more  than 
during  the  preceding  year,  being  one  hundred  and  twelve  thousand  three  hundred 
and  seventy  copies.  The  greatest  number  printed  in  a  single  day  was  one  hundred 
and  fifty-eight  thousand  six  hundred  and  ninety-eight,  on  May  27,  during  the 
Beecher  trial ;  the  next  in  size  was  one  hundred  and  fifty-seven  thousand  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty-nine,  on  the  day  following  the  centennial  celebration  of  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill ;  the  next,  one  hundred  and  thirty-four  thousand  nine  hundred  and 
fifty-two,  on  June  26,  the  paper  containing  reports  of  the  execution  of  Wagner, 
Gordon,  and  Costley;  the  next,  one  hundred  and  thirty-four  thousand  four  hundred 
and  thirty,  the  day  after  the  November  election ;  the  next,  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
two  thousand  five  hundred  and  seventy-seven,  on  April  20,  with  an  account  of  the 
•celebration  of  the  anniversary  of  the  "  Concord  fight."  The  daily  was  first  issued 
in  quarto  form  (eight  pages)  on  the  last-named  date.  Another  quarto  was  published 
on  June  18,  to  contain  the  Bunker  Hill  report;  and  subsequently,  on  a  number  of 
occasions,  Saturday's  editions  were  increased  to  eight  pages,  in  order  to  do  justice  to 
readers  as  well  as  advertising  patrons.  Seventy-four  compositors  were  employed 
in  1875,  and  the  weekly  composition  bill  averaged  one  thousand  four  hundred 
dollars. 

The  circulation  in  1876  averaged  one  hundred  and  sixteen  thousand  five  hun- 
dred and  sixty-eight  copies  per  day,  the  exciting  political  campaign  of  that  year 
aiding,  among  other  things,  largely  to  increase  the  sale.  The  exposure  of  Secretary 
Belknap's  rascality,  first  made  public  by  the  Washington  correspondent  of  the  Her- 
ald ;  W^inslow's  defalcation  and  flight,  his  adventures  in  Europe  (where  he  was 
tracked,  followed,  discovered,  and  "interviewed"  by  a  Herald  correspondent),  and 
his  letters  explanatory  of  his  position ;  and  a  number  of  other  notable  events  which 
need  not  be  recounted  here,  —  also  created  a  large  demand  for  the  paper.  The  Her- 
ald's reports  of  the  "belfry  tragedy,"  and  Piper's  trial,  conviction,  confession,  and 
execution,  likewise  swelled  the  local  sales.     The  issue  of  February  15,  containing 


History  of  the  Herald.  55 

the  Winslow  story,  was  one  hundred  and  thirty  thousand  six  hundred  and  twenty- 
four  copies ;  that  containing  Piper's  first  confession,  April  22,  was  one  hundred  and 
thirty-four  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ten  copies;  that  of  May  8,  reporting  his 
second  statement  (a  Herald  "exclusive"),  one  hundred  and  fifty-eight  thousand 
four  hundred  and  two  copies ;  that  of  May  26,  having  an  account  of  his  execution, 
one  hundred  and  seventy-four  thousand  three  hundred  and  eighteen  copies ;  that 
containing  returns  of  the  October  election  (October  11),  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
nine  thousand  four  hundred  and  eighty  copies ;  that  on  the  day  of  the  presidential 
election,  one  hundred  and  forty-seven  thousand  two  hundred  and  sixteen  copies. 
The  largest  number  of  copies  ever  printed  in  one  day  in  the  Herald  office  was  two 
hundred  and  twenty-three  thousand  two  hundred  and  fifty-six,  on  November  8,  the 
day  after  the  election.  The  paper  on  that  occasion  was  in  quarto  form,  double  its 
usual  size,  and  extra  editions  were  made  as  often  as  additional  returns  from  the 
doubtful  States  were  received.  The  three  Bullock  presses  and  a  Mayall  perfecting 
press,  which  had  been  put  in  for  trial,  were  run  at  their  utmost  speed  throughout  the 
day  and  until  late  in  the  evening,  and  still  the  demand  was  greater  than  the  supplv. 
The  magnitude  of  the  day's  work  can  be  better  understood  when  we  state  that  over 
fourteen  tons  of  paper  were  printed  and  sold  between  4,  A.M.,  and  11,  P.M.,  —  an 
amount  which  would  make  a  continuous  sheet  of  the  width  of  the  Herald  two 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  long.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  no  other  paper  in  the  country 
equalled  the  Herald  in  circulation  that  da3^  The  "New  York  Sun"  claimed  an  edi- 
tion of  two  hundred  and  twenty  thousand,  and  boasted  that  it  was  "  never  before 
paralleled  or  approached  in  the  experience  of  any  daily  newspaper  in  the  United 
States;"  but  the  Herald's  great-fire  number  reached  those  figures,  and  on  this 
occasion  it  had  "a  clear  majority"  of  three  thousand  two  hundred  and  fift^-six  over 
the  "  Sun."  On  November  9  one  hundred  and  ninety  thousand  three  hundred  and 
eighty-four  copies  of  the  Herald  were  sold ;  on  the  loth  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
eight  thousand  and  forty-one;  on  the  nth  one  hundred  and  fifty-six  thousand  nine 
hundred  and  six,  and  so  on,  the  average  circulation  for  the  entire  month  reaching 
one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy-seven.  In 
December  the  election  excitement  had  died  out,  and  the  average  daily  issue  was 
one  hundred  and  twelve  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty-eight.  Eighty-two  com- 
positors were  employed  in  1876,  the  bill  for  composition  averaging  sixteen  hundred 
dollars  weekly. 

In  January,  1877,  a  fourth  Bullock  press  was  put  into  the  Herald  office,  the 
Mayall  being  removed  to  the  basement  of  No.  33  Hawley  street,  where  type,  stands 
for  fifty  compositors,  a  complete  apparatus  for  stereotyping,  and  all  the  necessary 
machinery,  materials,  and  implements  are  kept  in  readiness  to  "start  up  "  at  any 
moment,  in  case  a  fire  or  other  disaster  prevents  the  issue  of  the  regular  editions  in 
the  main  office. 

There  was  no  hotly-contested  presidential  campaign  in  1877,  to  create  any  extra 


66  History  of  the  Herald. 

demand  for  papers;  and,  after  the  excitement  attendant  upon  the  counting  of  the 
electoral  vote,  the  appointment,  deliberations,  and  decisions  of  the  Electoral  Com- 
mission, and  the  inauguration  of  Mr.  Hajes  as  President,  had  died  out,  there  was, 
for  a  long_  period,  a  dearth  of  important  news  in  this  country,  no  event  of  national 
importance  occurring  which  interested  the  reading  public  to  the  degree  that  the 
disputed  election  and  its  consequent  controversies  in  Congress  did.  The  war 
between  Russia  and  Turkey,  which  broke  out  the  last  of  April,  seemed  to  interest 
fewer  people  in  the  United  States  than  did  the  Franco-Prussian  struggle,  and  intel- 
ligence of  the  most  important  engagements  failed  to  increase  the  sale  of  papers  to 
a  perceptible  extent.  This  lack  of  exciting  news  at  home,  and  the  slight  interest 
felt  in  that  from  abroad,  together  with  the  general  depression  in  business,  which 
enforced  economy  in  all  quarters,  particularly  among  people  who  depended  upon 
their  labor  for  support,  affected  the  subscription-lists  and  sales  of  daily  newspapers 
throughout  the  country.  The  "New  York  Sun,"  which  in  1876  had  a  circulation  of 
one  hundred  and  forty  thousand,  —  the  largest  of  any  daily  in  the  United  States,  — 
admitted,  at  the  close  of  the  year  1877,  a  loss  of  thirty-five  thousand ;  and  other 
metropolitan  papers  suffered  in  proportion,  though  they  were  not  so  frank  in 
acknowledging  it  as  the  "  Sun."  So,  also,  all  over  the  country,  the  causes  above 
mentioned  affected  papers  of  all  parties  and  shades  of  opinion.  The  Herald,  like 
all  its  contemporaries,  felt  these  unfavorable  influences  to  a  certain  extent  during 
the  summer  months  and  early  autumn,. but  less  than  many  newspapers  having  a 
much  wider  field.  Towards  the  close  of  the  fall,  however,  a  marked  improvement 
in  its  circulation  was  visible  (which  still  continues),  and  the  summing  up  of  the 
year  showed  an  average  daily  issue  of  one  hundred  and  two  thousand  nine  hundred 
and  fifty-eight  copies. 

The  army  of  men  employed  in  the  various  departments  of  the  Herald  at  the 
present  time  would  astonish  the  founders  and  first  editors  of  the  paper.  In  1.846 
the  editorial  and  reportorial  "staff"  was  composed  of  two  men;  how  it  includes 
forty-four.  Six  compositors  were, employed  then;  now  there  are  eighty-four.  One 
pressman  and  an  assistant  easily  printed  the  Herald,  and  another  daily  paper  as 
well,  in  those  days  upon  one  small,  slow  pi-ess ;  now  thirty  men  find  constant 
employment  in  attending  the  engines  and  the  four  latest  improved  perfecting- 
presses  required  to  issued  the  editions  on  time.  The  business  department  was  then 
conducted  with  ease  by  one  man,  who  generally  found  time  to  attend  to  the  mailing 
and  sale  of  papers;  now  fourteen  persons  have  plenty  to  do  in  the  counting-room, 
and  the  delivery-room  engages  the  services  of  sixteen.  Then  stereotyping  the 
forms  of  a  daily  newspaper  was  an  unheard-of  proceeding;  now,  eleven  men  are 
employed  in  the  Herald's  foundry.  The  salaries  and  bills  for  composition 
aggregated  scarcely  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  per  week  then ;  now  the  weekly 
composition  bill  averages  over  one  thousand  six  hundred  dollars,  and  the  pay-roll 
of  the  other  departments  reaches  two  thousand  dollars  every  week,  and  frequently 


History  of  the  Herald.  57 

exceeds  that  sum.  Then  the  Herald  depended  for  outside  news  upon  the  meagre 
despatches  of  telegraph  agencies  in  New  York  (the  New  York  "Associated  Press" 
system  was  not  inaugurated  until  1848-9,  and  New  England  papers  were  not 
admitted  to  the  privilege  of  purchasing  its  news  until  some  years  later),  and  such 
occasional  correspondence  as  its  friends  in  this  and  other  States  sent  in,  free  of 
charge.  Now  it  not  only  receives  the  full  despatches  of  the  Associated  Press,  but 
has  news  bureaus  of  its  own  in  New  York  and  Washington,  special  correspond- 
ents in  the  principal  cities  and  towns  of  New  England  to  the  number  of  more  than 
two  hundred,  and  others  in  Buffalo,  N.Y.,  Philadelphia  and  Pittsburg,  Penn., 
Baltimore,  Md.,  Richmond,  Va.,  Charleston,  S.C.,  Cincinnati,  O.,  Louisville,  Ky., 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  New  Orleans,  La.,  Chicago,  111.,  Detroit,  Mich.,  Omaha,  Neb., 
San  Francisco,  Cal.,  Montreal,  P.Q^,  St.  John,  N.B.,  Halifax,  N.S.,  and  else- 
where. All  these  are  in  constant  communication  with  the  office,  and  are  instructed 
to  use  the  telegraph  without  stint  when  occasion  demands.  In  Europe,  the  Herald 
has  correspondents  at  London,  Paris,  Hamburg,  and  Rome. 

In  short,  it  may  be  said,  without  boasting,  that  the  Herald  to-day  is  as  well 
equipped  in  every  respect  as  any  paper  in  the  country ;  and  it  will  be  the  constant 
endeavor  of  its  proprietors  and  editors,  in  the  future,  as  it  has  been  in  the  past, 
to  keep  abreast  of  the  times  in  everything  which  goes  to  make  a  first-class 
newspaper. 


VI. 

THE    SUNDAY   HERALD. 

A   BRIEF    SKETCH    OF    ITS    ORIGIN   AND    PROGRESS. — A    SUCCESS    FROM    THE   OUTSET. 
—  ITS    HISTORY   DOWN   TO    THE    PRESENT    TIME. 

The  Sunday  papers  published  in  Boston  in  1861  were,  for  the  most  part,  devoted 
to  what  is  called  in  a  newspaper  office  "general  matter,"  and  little  attention  was 
paid  to  the  collection  and  publication  of  news  outside  the  city.  Believing  that  there 
was  an  ample  field  for  a  Sunday  newspaper,  the  proprietor  of  the  Daily  Herald,  on 
May  26  of  that  year,  issued  the  first  number  of  The  Sunday  Herald.  It  was  of 
the  same  size  as  the  daily,  but  contained  much  more  reading  matter,  and,  in  addition 
to  all  the  news  of  the  day  (the  civil  war  had  just  begun,  and  news  was  plenty,  and 
eagerly  sought  for  by  the  public),  gave  a  review  of  prominent  events  of  the 
preceding  week  in  literary,  social,   musical,  theatrical,  and  sporting  circles,  and 


X 
58  Histoiy  of  the  Herald. 

treateci  of  other  interesting  topics.  The  price  was  two  dollars  per  annum,  and  five 
cents  a  copy.  An  edition  of  ten  thousand  eight  hundred  was  printed  of  the  first 
number.  The  editorial  force  engaged  in  preparing  it  consisted  of  Messrs.  H.  R. 
Tracy,  Justin  Andrews,  Charles  H.  Andrews,  Luther  L.  Holden,  Edwin  B.  Haskell, 
Zenas  T.  Haines,  John  M.  Oxton,  and  S.  W.  Mason.  About  twenty  men  were 
employed  in  all  the  departments  of  the  office  in  getting  out  the  Sunday  edition. 

The  new  sheet  was  received  with  favor  by  the  reading  public,  and  its  average 
circulation  during  the  remainder  of  the  year  was  seven  thousand  three  hundred  and 
eighty-seven  copies. 

In  1862  the  average  circulation  was  seven  thousand  nine  hundred  and  seventy- 
seven, —  an  increase  of  about  six  hundred,  the  largest  single  edition  being  that  of 
August  31,  —  seventeen  thousand  and  forty  copies,  containing  news  of  the  battles  in 
front  of  Fredericksburg.  In  1863  the  average  circulation  was  eight  thousand  two 
hundred  and  seven,  and  the  greatest  single  edition  eighteen  thousand,  —  on  July 
5,  when  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  was  reported.  In  1864  the  circulation  rose  rapidly 
from  an  average  of  seven  thousand  two  hundred  and  sixty-seven  in  January,  to  ten 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  ninety  in  December,  the  average  for  the  year  being  ten 
thousand  one  hundred  and  seventy.  No  paper  was  published  on  April  17,  because 
of  a  fire  on  the  previous  day  in  the  press-room,  which  rendered  it  impossible  to  use 
the  presses.  The  largest  single  editions  were  eighteen  thousand  four  hundred  and 
eightj'j  twenty-one  thousand  three  hundred  and  sixty,  and  fourteen  thousand  four 
hundred,  on  May  8,  15,  and  22,  respectively,  when  the  war  news  was  of  unusual 
interest  and  importance.  In  1865  the  circulation  averaged  twelve  thousand  nine 
hundred  and  seventy,  reports  of  the  exciting  events  of  the  then-closing  war,  the 
assassin^ion  of  President  Lincoln,  the  capture  of  Jeff"  Davis,  etc.,  sending  up  the 
editions  as  high  as  thirty-two  thousand  on  several  occasions.  In  1866,  though  the 
war  had  closed,  the  circulation  held  good,  than  which  no  better  evidence  is  needed 
that  The  Sunday  Herald  was  appreciated.  The  average  during  the  year  was 
twelve  thousand  four  hundred  and  six,  and  there  were  no  extra  large  editions  to 
increase  the  figures.  The  next  year  showed  but  little  change,  the  increase  being 
only  four  hundred  and  eighty-three  copies,  and  the  circulation  twelve  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  eighty-nine.  In  1868  the  circulation  averaged  twelve  thousand  three 
hundred  and  eighteen.  In  1869,  twelve  thousand  and  sixty-nine.  On  January  2, 
1870,  the  paper  was  enlarged  at  the  same  time  with  the  daily,  and  the  same  causes 
which  swelled  the  latter's  circulation  operated  favorably  for  the  former,  the  average 
for  the  year  being  sixteen  thousand  and  forty-one.  The  editions  on  several  Sundays 
during  the  Fenian  excitement  and  the  Franco-Prussian  war  were  as  large  as  twenty 
to  twenty-four  thousand. 

The  year  1871  brought  a  gratifjang  increase;  for,  beginning  with  an  average  of 
sixteen  thousand  eight  hundred  in  January,  there  was  a  steady  gain  till  December, 
when  the  edition  reached  twenty-one  thousand  four  hundred  and  eight ;  the  average 


History  of  the  Herald.  59 

circulation  for  the  whole  twelve  months  being  nineteen  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
fifteen.  The  gain  continued  in  1872,  the  edition  in  January  being  twenty-one 
thousand  nine  hundred;  and,  in  December,  twentj-four  thousand  nine  hundred  and 
twentj-nine;  while  the  year's  average  was  twenty-five  thousand  six  hundred  and  one. 
The  largest  single  day's  sale  was  one  hundred  and  nine  thousand  two  hundred  and 
fifty,  the  day  of  the  great  fire,  November  10 ;  and  the  next  in  size  that  of  the  Sunday 
following,  twenty-nine  thousand  six  hundred  and  twenty-two.  The  increase  in  1873 
was  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty-four,  the  average  edition  during  the  year 
being  twenty-seven  thousand  three  hundred  and  sixty-five.  The  editions  were 
remarkably  uniform  in  size,  only  twelve  of  the  fifty-two  being  above  twenty-seven 
thousand,  and  the  largest  of  these  thirty-one  thousand  two  hundred,  the  day  follow- 
ing the  Revere  disaster  on  the  Eastern  Railroad.  The  average  circulation  for  1874 
was  twenty-eight  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety-three,  —  again  oF  one  thou- 
sand four  hundred  and  twenty-eight  on  that  of  1873.  In  this  year  there  were  eight 
Sunday's  on  which  the  editions  ran  above  thirty  thousand, — July  5  ("Independence 
Day"  reports),  thirty-four  thousand  two  hundred  and  fifty;  July  19  (report  of  the 
discovery  of  the  body  of  Katy  Curran,  Pomeroy's  victim),  thirty-nine  thousand  one 
hundred  and  twenty;  July  26  (Beecher-Tilton  statements),  thirty-five  thousand  two 
hundred;  August  2  (more  Beecher  statements),  thirty-seven  thousand  two  hundred; 
September  20  (the  great  fire  at  Fall  River),  thirty-six  thousand;  October  4,  Novem- 
ber 8,  December  6  and  13  (still  more  Brooklyn  scandal  reports),  thirty-four  thousand 
nine  hundred,  thirty-two  thousand,  thirty  thousand,  and  thirty  thousand,  respectively. 
The  year  1875  opened  with  The  Sunday  Herald  circulating  twenty-eight  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  ninety-four  copies,  and  in  May  it  had  reached  thirty-two  thousand 
one  hundred  and  fourteen.  On  the  30th  of  that  month  the  paper  was  doubled  in 
size,  its  pages  being  increased  to  eight;  and  other  improvements,  which  had  for 
some  time  been  in  contemplation,  were  made.  The  price,  however,  was  not  raised 
from  the  old  rates.  The  public  was  quick  to  appreciate  the  change  for  the  better,  the 
sales  and  subscriptions  increased  rapidly,  and  of  the  last  number  of  the  year 
(December  26),  fifty-seven  thousand  four  hundred  and  twentj^-nine  copies  were  sold. 
The  average  circulation  for  the  entire  year  was  thirty-nine  thousand  and  sixty-three,  — 
a  clear  gain  of  ten  thousand  two  hundred  and  seventy  over  that  of  1874.  There  was 
a  steady  increase  in  1876,  the  circulation  averaging  sixty-three  thousand  one  hundred 
and  thirty-two  the  year  through, — twenty-four  thousand  and  sixty-nine  more  than 
during  the  preceding  year.  There  were  a  number  of  notably  large  editions  in  1876, 
among  them  that  of  July  30,  in  which  E.  D.  Winslow's  letters  explaining  the  con- 
dition of  his  affairs  and  the  reason  of  his  flight  appeared,  and  seventy-one  thdlisand 
and  fifteen  copies  were  disposed  of;  and  those  of  November  12  and  19,  which  were 
eighty-seven  thousand  four  hundred  and  seventy-nine,  and  seventy-three  thousand 
four  hundred  and  eighty-six,  respectively,  issued  during  the  exciting  times  following 
the  presidential  election.     During  the  past  year  (1877),  notwithstanding  the  dearth 


60  History  of  the  Herald. 

of  "startling  news"  and  the  depression  in  business,  the  circulation  of  The  Sunday 
Herald  did  not  diminish,  but,  on  the  contrary,  increased ;  the  average  for  the  fifty- 
two  weeks  being  sixty-four  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty-one  —  a  gain  of  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  nineteen  over  the  year  previous,  and  the  largest 
circulation  attained  by  any  Sunday  paper  in  the  United  States. 


VII. 

THE   NEW   HERALD   BUILDING. 

DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  EDIFICE  BUILT  ESPECIALLY  FOR  THE  DAILY  AND  SUNDAY 
HERALD,  AND  OCCUPIED  FEBRUARY  9,  1878. — A  GLIMPSE  INTO  ALL  ITS  DE- 
PARTMENTS. —  DESCRIPTION    OF    ITS    EXTERIOR   AND    INTERIOR. 

It  has  been  stated  already,  in  the  foregoing  sketch  of  the  Herald's  history, 
that  its  oflSce  was  first  located  in  Wilson's  lane  (or  Devonshire  street),  was  then 
removed  to  State  street,  next  to  Post-office  avenue,  later  to  Water  street,  and  finally, 
in  September,  1850,  to  No.  6  Will-iams  court.  At  first,  only  a  portion  of  the  build- 
ing last  named  was  occupied ;  but  as  the  growing  needs  of  the  paper  demanded 
more  space,  more  was  taken,  until  the  entire  structure,  together  with  a  portion  of 
No.  4,  was  used  for  editorial,  reportorial,  composing,  and  press  rooms.  The  old 
edifice  was  ill-adapted  for  newspaper  purposes,  and  many  extensive  and  expensive 
alterations  were  made  from  time  to  time ;  still  it  was  far  from  meeting  the  require- 
ments of  a  good  office,  in  size  or  convenience.  Several  years  ago,  therefore,  the 
proprietors  of  the  Herald  determined  to  erect  a  building  especially  for  their  use, 
and,  with  this  end  in  view,  looked  about  for  a  suitable  location.  Finally  the  estate 
No.  255  (formerly  Nos.  113  and  115)  Washington  street  was  selected,  because  it 
possessed  a  number  of  advantages  difficult  to  obtain  elsewhere,  among  them  being 
its  close  proximity  to  the  old  office,  its  nearness  to  the  business  portion  of  the  city, 
its  convenience  of  access  from  Williams  court,  etc. ;  and  upon  this  was  constructed 
in  1877-8  the  edifice  hereinafter  described. 

The  new  Herald  building  covers  three  lots,  on  which  previously  stood  three 
distinct  buildings,  —  the  old  Bumstead  and  Bradlee  estates  on  Washington  street 
(formerly  numbered  113  and  115),  and  the  estate  at  No.  4  Williams  court.  Samuel 
Bradlee,  father  of  Nathaniel  J.  Bradlee,  the  well-known  architect  of  this  city,  pur- 
chased his  estate  in  1805,  for  $7,500,  —  quite  a  difference  from  its  value  to-day.  In 
1810  the  buildings  on  both  these  estates  were  destroyed  by  fire,  and  Mr.  Bradlee 


History  of  the  Herald.  .  61 

offered  to  sell  his  lot  to  Deacon  Josiah  Bumstead  for  $7,500,  or  to  buy  the  deacon's 
for  the  same  amount.  This,  however,  was  refused,  and  the  Bradlee  estate  remained 
in  the  family  until  187 1,  when  it  was  sold  to  the  Herald  proprietors.  The  Bum- 
stead  estate  changed  hands  oftener,  for  it  was  sold  by  the  Bumstead  heirs  to  Warren 
Sherburne  in  1865,  or  thereabouts ;  by  the  latter  to  E.  C.  Bailey  in  1867,  and  hy  Mr. 
Bailey  to  the  present  owners  in  187 1.  The  Washington-street  estates  were  always 
well  tenanted ;  among  the  best-known  occupants  being  Oliver  Ditson,  the  music 
publisher  and  dealer;  Mr.  Wilmot,  clothing  dealer  (noAV  a  few  doors  south)  ;  A.  W. 
Southwick,  dealer  in  clocks ;  and  Dodge,  Collier,  &  Perkins,  manufacturers  and 
dealers  in  picture-frames.  The  estate  No.  4  Williams  court  was  purchased  from 
Edwin  C.  Bailey  in  1871.  The  building  had  been  used,  like  some  others  in  the 
court,  for  many  years  as  a  printing-office. 

The  lot  has  a  front  on  Washington'  street  of  thirty-one  feet  nine  inches,  and  a 
width  in  the  rear  of  twenty-six  feet.  On  the  north,  or  longest  line,  the  distance 
from  the  street-front  to  the  rear  is  one  hundred  and  seventy-nine  feet,  and  on  the 
south  line  the  depth  is  one  hundred  and  seventy-two  feet.  The  Williams-court 
estate,  which  joins  the  other  in  such  a  manner  that  the  whole  is  something  in  this 
shape  (H)j  has  a  frontage  of  twenty-four  and  one-half  feet  on  the  court,  and  a  width 
of  twenty-three  feet  at  its  junction  with  the  main  lot.  The  length  from  the  latter  to 
the  court  is  forty-five  feet  on  the  eastern  line,  and  forty-three  feet  on  the  western 
line.  This  gives  a  total  ground-surface  of  a  little  more  than  six  thousand  two 
hundred  square  feet. 

Building  operations  were  begun  on  April  2,  1877,  when  the  work  of  demolishing 
the  old  structures  on  the  site  was  undertaken.  This  was  completed  on  April  9,  and 
excavations  for  the  cellar  and  foundations  were  commenced ;  and  as  the  Herald 
basement  was  to  be  much  deeper  than  those  of  adjoining  buildings,  it  was  necessary 
to  put  in  new  and  more  substantial  foundations  for  them.  This  difficult  task  was 
completed  on  June  21,  and  work  was  then  begun  on  the  Herald  building.  The 
walls,  which  were  laid  in  cement,  are  from  sixteen  to  twenty-four  inches  in  thick- 
ness, and,  together  with  the  first  floors  and  the  roofs,  required  one  million  and 
a  half  bricks  to  complete.  The  number  of  cartloads  of  dirt  taken  out  of  the  base- 
ment was  about  eleven  thousand  I  The  L?  or  Williams-court  section,  was  not 
commenced  until  the  other  buildings  had  been  erected  and  covered  in. 

The  whole  lot  is  occupied  by  the  basement  of  the  building  for  purposes  which 
will  be  hereafter  noted.  The  first  story  covers  the  same  surface,  with  the  exception 
of  three  areas,  the  main  one  of  which  is  fifteen  by  eighteen  feet  in  the  first  story, 
and  widens  out  to  twenty-three  by  twenty-eight  and  one-half  feet  above,  separating 
the  structure  into  substantially  two  buildings,  the  front  one  being  that  vipcn 
Washington  street,  above  the  counting-room,  and  the  rear  embracing  the  back 
building  and  L,  which  are  altogether  required  for  the  various  editorial,  mechanical, 
and  other  departments  of  the  paper.     The  rear  area  is  sixteen  by  twelve  feet,  and 


62  History  of  the  Herald. 

the  intermediate  area  is  six  by  twenty-two  feet.     These  latter  afford  light  to  the 
mailing,  stereotype,  and  press  rooms. 

The  height  of  the  building  on  Washington  street,  from  the  sidewalk  to  the  top 
of  the  roof,  is  just  one  hundred  feet,  and  the  front  basement  is  thirteen  feet  below 
the  street  level,  so  that,  for  use,  from  basement-floor  to  roof  we  have  a  height  of 
one  hundred  and  thirteen  feet.  Add  to  this  fifteen  feet  for  ornamental  cresting, 
finials,  and  weather-vanes,  and  we  have  a  height,  from  basement  to  where  the 
building  presents  its  iron  locks  to  the  upper  winds,  of  nearly  one  hundred  and  thirty 
feet.  In  a  general  way  it  may  be  said  that  the  front  is  in  the  architectural  style  of 
the  French  Renaissance.  It  is  composed  of  six  floors,  or  stories,  above  the  street, 
five  of  which  are  fronted  with  Concord  granite,  with  the  introduction  of  polished 
columns  of  red  Bay  of  Fundy  granite  on  the  second  and  third  stories,  polished 
panels  of  the  same  material  in  the  window-caps  of  the  third,  fourth,  and  sixth 
stories,  and  oval  medallion  panels  in  the  pediment-caps  of  the  second,  third,  and 
sixth  story  windows.  The  first  story  has  heavy  rustic  posts  of  granite,  with  orna- 
mental brackets  supporting  the  iron  lintels  over  the  wide  opening  to  the  business 
office.  These  lintels  are  covered  on  their  face  by  an  iron  panel,  on  which  are  the  words, 
"The  Boston  Herald,"  in  gilt  letters,  thus  forming  the  business  sign  of  the  estab- 
lishment. In  the  second,  third,  fourth,  and  fifth  stories  the  windows  are  grouped, 
with  a  double  window  in  the  centre  and  single  windows  on  each  side.  The  single 
windows  in  the  second  story,  and  the  third-story  double-windows,  have  ornamental 
carved  pediment-caps,  and  those  in  the  fourth  and  fifth  stories  are  divided  by 
pilasters  running  through  the  two  stories,  which  support  the  main  cornice  and  orna- 
mental cortels,  the  latter  surmounted  by  grotesque  lions'  heads.  .  In  the  frieze  of  the 
cornice  is  an  ornamental  panel,  bearing  the  words,  "  Herald  Building,"  in  letters 
of  polished  granite.  The  dormer  window  of  the  upper  story  is  entirely  of  granite. 
The  framework  of  the  French  roof  is  of  iron,  with  ornamental  trimmings  of  copper. 
The  covering  is  of  heavy,  thick  slates,  which  are  secured  with  copper  wire  to  iron 
purlines.  On  the  upper  part  of  the  roof,  on  each  side  of  the  dormer  window,  are 
two  medallion  heads,  the  one  on  the  south  side  representing  Mercury,  and  the  other 
Liberty:  "Free  to  plan  and  swift  to  perform."  The  faces  of  the  parti-walls  on 
either  side,  above  the  roofs  of  adjoining  buildings,  are  ornamented  with  granite 
quoins,  and  topped  oft'  with  granite  copings.  The  heights  of  the  stories  in  this 
building  are  :  the  first,  or  street  story,  fifteen  feet  in  the  clear ;  the  second,  thirteen 
feet  in  the  clear;  and  the  other  four,  each  twelve  feet  in  the  clear. 

On  the  street-level  there  are  two  main  entrances,  each  distinct  from  the  other. 
One  of  these  is  a  chambers-entrance,  six  and  a  half  feet  wide,  and  the  other  the 
entrance  to  the  business  office,  nineteen  feet  wide  by  six  feet  deep,  forming  a  recess 
vestibule,  which,  by  the  skill  of  ai'tists  and  artisans,  is  made  quite  finished  and 
attractive.  The  walls  and  ceiling  of  this  vestibule  are  of  dove-colored  Vermont 
marble,  the  ceiling  being  divided  by  beams  into  panels.     The  door  has  an  orna- 


GENERAL  MANAGER'S  ROOM. 


BUSINESS  MANAGER'S  ROOM. 


History  of  the  Herald.  63 

mental  marble  cap,  with  a  slab  of  black  polished  marble  let  into  the  centre,  on  which 
the  figures  "  255,"  being  the  street-number  of  the  building,  are  displaj^ed  in  gilt. 

On  either  side,  on  the  upper  part  of  the  walls,  reliefs  of  ideal  heads  in  marble 
are  set  in ;  that  on  the  north  side  representing  Electricity,  and  on  the  south, 
Steam.  These  two  great  energies  are  strongly  and  characteristically  typified. 
Steam  is  represented  by  a  full,  strong  face,  which  impresses  the  beholder  with  an 
idea  of  vast  reserved  power  and  force ;  while  the  head  of  Electricity  indicates 
energy;  that  is,  swift,  subtle,  far-reaching,  wiry,  untiring,  and  ceaseless  activity. 
These  ideal  rdpresentations  of  the  two  great  forces  which  aid  the  human  brains  and 
hands  in  the  production  of  newspapers,  are  the  work  of  Mr.  Thomas  R.  Gould,  the 
eminent  Boston  sculptor,  who  is  now  practising  his  art  in  Florence,  Italy. 

The  floor  of  the  vestibule,  which  is  composed  of  marble  tiles,  is  divided  into 
three  panels,  the  varieties  used  being  Maria,  Sienna,  red  Griotte,  Echalion,  and 
black,  in  pleasing  designs.  The  central  panel,  opposite  the  door,  has  the  words 
"Boston  Herald"  inlaid,  in  bronze  letters.  In  front  of  the  two  windows  are  areas 
for  Adrhitting  light  to  the  basement,  which  are  enclosed  by  ornamental  railings  of 
brass.  The  office  windows  are  each  eleven  feet  high  by  four  feet  eight  inches  wide, 
and  set  with  heavy  plate-glass  panes,  the  lower  ones  being  seven  feet  high  and  the 
upper  four  feet.  The  entrance  doors  are  of  mahogany,  of  ornamental  design  and 
skilled  workmanship. 

The  business  office  of  the  Herald,  to  which  these  doors  give  access,  is  sixty- 
eight  feet  long,  and,  from  the  street  backward  for  a  distance  of  forty-four  feet,  nine- 
teen and  a  half  feet  wide.  Beyond  that,  for  twenty-four  feet,  the  width  is  twentj'-seven 
feet.  On  the  left  of  the  entrance  is  a  counter  twenty-nine  feet  in  length,  of  marble, 
with  mahogany  top,  behind  which  are  the  advertising  clerks,  and  those  attending  to 
the  delivery  of  letters  and  papers.  Back  of  this  counter,  and  against  the  wall,  is  a 
newspaper  case,  divided  into  twelve  rows  of  boxes,  each  row  containing  eight  com- 
partments of  four  divisions  each,  to  hold  spare  copies  of  each  issue  of  the  Herald 
for  twelve  months.  This  case  is  made  of  mahogany,  and  occupies  almost  the  entire 
length  of  the  wall  behind  the  outer  counter.  Opposite  this  counter  is  a  desk, 
twenty-seven  feet  in  length,  for  the  use  of  advertisers,  upon  which  they  may  write, 
consult  files,  etc.  Under  the  desk  are  cases  to  contain  the  bound  volumes  of  the 
Herald,  for  reference.  In  the  rear  of  the  apartment  is  a  spacious,  almost  semi- 
circular counter,  which  commences  on  the  left,  not  far  in  the  rear  of  the  front 
counter,  and  sweeps  around,  coming  within  convenient  distance  of  the  wall  on  the 
right,  and  leaving  a  passage-way  around  it  in  the  rear.  This  counter  is  connected 
with  the  front  one  by  an  ornamental  brass  railing,  in  which  is  a  gate  for  exit  and 
entrance.  Behind  it  are  the  desks  of  the  cashier,  superintendent  of  the  delivery 
department,  and  clerks.  The  office  of  the  business  head  of  the  firm  is  in  the  rear  of 
space  inclosed  by  the  counter,  from  which  it  is  separated  by  a  mahogany  frame-work 
screen,  ten  and  a  half  feet  high,  glazed  with  ornamental  leaded  glass.     This  office  is 


64  History  of  the  Herald. 

reached  bj  a  door  from  the  passage-waj  around  the  counter,  and  connects  directly 
with  the  clerks'  apartment  bj  another  door. 

The  counters  and  dado  of  this  general  business  office  are  of  black,  dove  color, 
white,  Lisbon,  and  Jaune  de  Provence  marble,  very  beautiful,  and  combined  in  an 
artistic  manner.  The  floors  outside  the  counters  are  of  white  marble,  with  spots  of 
black  and  red,  and  borders  of  Maria  and  red  Griotte  marbles.  The  private  office  is 
floored  with  encaustic  tiles  of  an  ornamental  pattern,  while  the  floors  behind  the 
counters,  front  and  rear,  are  raised  six  inches  above  the  general  floor-level,  so  as 
to  enable  the  clerks  to  overlook  the  outside  areu,  and  are  laid  in  hardwood.  There 
is  an  open  fireplace  in  the  private  office,  with  a  mantel  of  Formosa  marble.  The 
tops  of  all  the  counters  are  of  solid  mahogany,  the  desks  on  which  are  inclosed 
with  mahogany  screens,  two  and  a  half  feet  high,  and  glazed  with  ornamental 
leaded  glass. 

Connected  with  the  business  office  is  a  double  brick-Avalled  fire  and  burglar 
proof  safe  vault,  six  by  five  feet  in  the  clear  inside. 

The  ceiling  and  walls  are  painted  in  oil,  in  subdued,  yet  pleasing  tints,  and  the 
cornices  are  decorated  and  gilded.  The  office  is  lighted  with  four  brass  chandeliers, 
depending  from  centre-pieces  in  the  ceiling,  and  one  double  light  at  each  of  the 
windows.  There  are  also  chandeliers  on  the  desks,  and  bracket  lights  at  various 
points  on  the  walls. 

Two  doors  lead  out  of  this  main  office  in  the  rear,  —  one  to  the  mailing  and 
delivery  room,  and  the  other  to  the  editorial  and  reportorial  rooms,  which  latter  are 
all  above  the  first  floor. 

Access  to  the  upper  portion  of  the  front  building  is  obtained  from  Washington 
street  through  a  door  to  the  left  of  the  office  entrance,  into  a  vestibule  eight  feet 
wide  by  seven  feet  deep,  the  walls  of  which  are  lined  with  dove-colored  marble. 
The  outer  door  is  of  heavy  mahogany,  with  a  top-light  of  plate  glass,  and  the  inner 
fly-doors  are  of  the  same  material,  with  large  glags  panels  and  side  and  top  lights. 
The  hall  inside  leading  to  stairs  and  elevator,  is  eight  feet  in  width,  the  elevator 
being  in  the  rear  of  the  stairway,  under  a  wind  of  which  it  is  necessary  to  pass  in 
order  to  reach  it.  The  floors  of  the  vestibule  and  of  the  second  story  are  of  marble, 
in  substantially  the  same  varieties  and  designs  as  those  described  in  the  business 
office.  The  wall  also,  up  to  the  second  story,  is  lined  with  Echalion  marble.  The 
space  of  wall  between  the  door  and  stairs  is  divided  off"  with  white  marble  pilasters, 
supporting  a  deeply  coffered  ceiling,  richly  ornamented  in  colors  and  bronze.  The 
dado  in  the  hall  is  of  black,  Lisbon,  Knoxville,  and  Sienna  marbles.  The  belt  on 
a  level  with  the  second  floor,  marking  the  upper  line  of  marble-work,  is  of  white 
marble,  moulded  in  ornamental  form.  The  stairs  leading  to  the  second  floor  are  of 
iron,  with  steps,  risers,  and  platform  of  white  marble,  and  mahogany  hand-rail. 
All  the  other  stairs  are  of  oak.  The  elevator  runs  from  the  first  to  the  upper  floor, 
and  is  one  of  Tufts'  best,  with  all  the  latest  improvements.     The  car  is  of  oak,  with 


History  of  the  Herald.  65 

satinwood  and  mahogany  panels,  is  seven  feet  bj  seven  inside,  has  a  seating 
capacity  for  six  persons,  and  runs  inside  a  fire-proof  well  of  brick.  Each  of  the 
upper  stories  is  laid  off  into  two  suites,  front  and  rear,  all  of  which  are  finished  in 
oak.  Each  suite  is  furnished  with  a  dressing-room  and  closets ;  and  each  is  also 
provided  with  a  safe,  the  brick  safe-vault  being  carried  up  on  the  lower  foundation, 
but  divided  into  two  vaults  in  each  of  the  upper  stories.  Besides  having  steam  heat, 
each  of  the  suites  has  two  open  fireplaces,  one  on  either  side.  On  the  second  floor 
the  mantels  are  of  Knoxville  marble ;  on  the  third,  rose-colored  marble,  with  black 
trimmings ;  on  the  fourth  and  fifth,  different  shades  of  Doherty  Tennessee  marble  : 
and  on  the  sixth,  dove-colored.  The  staircases  have  a  well  four  by  six  feet,  over 
which  there  is  a  skylight,  seven  by  ten  feet,  glazed  with  lead-colored  glass  of  rich 
design,  giving  ample  light  to  passers  up  and  down.  The  ceilings  and  entry-ways 
are  panelled  and  finished  in  moulded  stucco-work.  All  the  upper  chambers  are 
connected  with  the  lower  hall-way  by  a  system  of  speaking-tubes  and  electric  call- 
bells,  so  that  a  caller  can  ascertain  if  the  party  visited  is  in  his  office  before 
going  up. 

The  building  in  the  rear  of  the  one  fronting  on  Washington  street  (which,  as 
described,  becomes  an  essentially  separate  structure  after  rising  above  the  first 
story),  and  the  one  fronting  on  Williams  court,  are  united  together,  and  form  a  con- 
tinuous building  in  the  shape  of  an  L.  Their  studding  is  the  same  height  on  each 
of  the  stories,  and  their  floors  flush  and  continuous.  The  lower  or  street  story  is 
thirteen  feet  high  in  the  clear,  the  two  above  that  twelve  feet  each,  and  the  upper,  or 
composing-room,  twenty  feet  in  the  centre  to  seventeen  feet,  the  roof  pitching  both 
ways  some  three  feet. 

Entrance  to  the  editorial  rooms  maj^  be  had  from  the  counting-room,  and  also 
from  the  Williams-court  section,  by  stairways.  These  rooms,  located  on  the  second 
floor  of  the  rear  buildings,  are  —  exclusive  of  a  library,  nineteen  by  eight  feet  area  — 
nine  in  number,  and  consist,  first,  of  the  room  of  the  editor-in-chief,  Mr.  E.  B.  Has- 
kell, which  has  a  private  office  attached.  Next  to  this  is  the  room  of  the  managing 
editor,  Mr.  J.  H.  Holmes,  which  is  the  largest  of  the  series,  being  twenty  by  twenty- 
one  feet  in  area,  and  fitted  up  in  a  manner  commensurate  with  the  purposes  of  its 
occupation.  There  are  cabinets  and  cases  containing  pigeon-holes  innumerable, 
and  places  for  files  of  papers,  manuscripts,  correspondence,  and  the  thousand-and- 
one  things  which  come  within  the  editor's  province,  and  need  careful  arrangement. 
A  copy-elevator  runs  up  to  the  room  above,  where  the  news  and  telegraph  editors 
are  located,  and  beyond  it  up  to  the  composing-room.  The  pneumatic  tube  runs 
through  this  room,  having  what  is  called  a  switch  here,  or  a  section  which  can  be 
opened,  enabling  the  matter  in  the  tube  intended  for  that  department  to  be  taken 
out.  This  room  is  in  communication  with  the  front  office  by  means  of  speaking- 
tubes  and  electric-bells,  and  by  the  latter  means  with  all  the  editorial  rooms.  Speak- 
ing-tubes from  this  room  also  lead  to  the  upper  editorial  room,  and  to  the  compos- 
5 


6Q  History  of  the  Herald. 

ing  and  delivery  rooms.  Beyond  this  room  are  two  double  and  three  singly  rooms, 
and  on  the  Williams-court  extension  a  library,  two  department  rooms,  a  square 
room  for  consv;ltation  purposes,  and  water-closets,  wash  and  coat  rooms.  The 
rooms  on  this  floor,  beside  those  of  the  editor-in-chief  and  managing  editor,  are  all 
occupied  by  the  assistant  editors  and  department  men. 

The  floor  above  (the  third)  is  similarly  laid  out,  though  by  th6  arrangement  of 
apartments  in  the  Williams-court  extension  there  are  eleven  rooms.  The  room 
above  that  of  the  editor-in-chief,  being  the  first  in  the  building  next  the  street-front, 
is  occupied  by  Mr.  C.  H.  Andrews,  the  general  manager  of  the  editorial,  reporto- 
rial,  composition,  stereotype,  and  press  departments.  This  communicates  directly 
by  door  with  the  news  and  telegraph  editors'  room,  which  is  of  the  same  size  as  the 
one  below,  occupied  by  the  managing  editor.  In  the  front  part  of  the  news  and 
telegraph  editors'  room  is  a  desk  or  table,  ten  feet  long  by  three  and  one-half  feet 
wide,  at  which  the  editors  sit.  Running  up  from  the  centre  of  this  table  is  a  copy- 
elevator,  the  boxes  of  which  are  drawn  up  and  lowered  alternately,  and  carry  up  to 
the  composing-room  the  copy  prepared  for  the  hands  of  the  printer.  The  pneu- 
matic tube  has  also  a  switch  in  this  room,  and  there  are  nine  speaking-tubes,  com- 
municating with  various  rooms  on  the  floor  and  other  parts  of  the  building. 
Adjoining  this  apartment  is  the  city-editor's  room,  which  communicates  with  the 
rooms  of  reporters  and  department  men  by  means  of  electric  bells.  Beyond  the  city- 
editor's  room  are  a  double  room  and  three  single  rooms.  On  the  Williams-court 
extension  are  three  single  rooms  and  a  square  room  for  suburban  reporters  and  cor- 
respondents; also  water-closets,  wash-rooms,  etc.  The  whole  of  the  wainscoting 
and  other  wood-work  in  these  two  stories,  as  well  as  in  the  story  above,  or  compos- 
ing-room, except  the  flooring,  is  in  ash.  The  doors  are  supplied  with  lights  of 
ground  glass,  bordered  with  tracery  work,  and  over  each  is  a  glass  top-light  arranged 
to  drop  inwards  and  supply  fresh  air  from  the  halls.  All  the  rooms  in  the  main  rear 
building  have  one  or  more  windows,  each  three  by  nine  feet.  The  floors  are  of  hard- 
pine,  laid  on  cement,  making  them  at  once  fire  and  rat  proof,  and  also  tending  to 
deaden  all  sounds  that  might  annoy  persons  in  lower  apartments.  The  rooms  are 
all  supplied  with  shelves,  and  amply  furnished  with  gas-fixtures. 

The  composing-room,  in  the  upper  story,  is  a  large  apartment,  covering,  with  the 
exception  of  the  small  offices  and  closets  partitioned  oft',  and  the  stairway,  the  entire 
area  of  the  rear  main  building  and  the  extension  to  Williams  court,  and  having  a  floor- 
surface  of  about  two  thousand  seven  hundred  square  feet.  The  total  length  of  the 
room  in  the  main  building  is  eighty-one  and  a  quarter  feet,  its  greatest  width  twenty- 
six  feet,  and  the  average  width  about  twenty  feet.  The  Williams-court  extension 
is  twenty-two  by  forty-four  fe^t.  The  main-building  section  is  lighted  from  the  roof 
by  five  skylights,  six  and  a  half  by  seven  and  a  half  feet,  and  sixteen  windows,  three 
by  twelve  feet.  These  windows  are  divided  into  three  sashes,  the  upper  of  which  can 
be  made  to  fall  inwards.     The  Williams-court  extension  has  four  skylights  and  six 


MANAGING  EDITOR'S  ROOM. 


NEWS  AND  TELEGRAPH  EDITORS'  ROOM. 


History  of  the  Herald.  67 

windows,  of  the  size  and  character  of  those  already  described,  making  twenty-two 
windows  and  nine  skylights,  with  a  total  light-surface  of  about  one  thousand  three 
hundred  and  twenty  square  feet.  The  total  skylight  surface  in  the  whole  building  is 
nine  hundred  and  twenty-seven  square  feet.  The  height  of  the  ceiling  from  the  floor 
is  from  seventeen  to  twenty  feet,  thus  giving  the  room  an  air  capacity  of  over  fifty 
thousand  cubic  feet.  All  these  features,  therefore,  combine  to  make  it  the  most 
sunny  and  airy,  and,  by  consequence,  the  most  healthy  printing-office  in  Boston,  if 
not  in  the  whole  country.  All  the  windows  are  furnished  with  fire-proof  shutters, 
—  as,  in  fact,  are  all  windows  in  the  building,  save  those  on  the  street,  —  and  there 
is  a  fire-escape  on  the  Williams-court  front.  At  the  eastern  end  of  the  main  room 
are  three  small  apartments,  one  for  the  foreman,  one  for  his  assistants  (four  in 
number),  and  another,  conveniently  arranged,  for  proof-readers.  On  the  southerly 
side  of  the  room  there  is  a  rack  to  hold  cases  containing  "  sorts,"  and  a  "  general 
galley"  for  the  convenience  of'compositors.  Next  to  this  is  the  "  copy-table,"  where 
all  copy  is  numbered  and  cut  before  going  into  the  hands  of  compositors,  and  over 
this  table  is  located  the  upper  end  of  the  pneumatic  tube,  which  connects  with  the 
advertising-desk  in  the  counting-room.  On  the  east  side  of  the  copy-table  is  the 
"revise"  stand;  in  front  is  the  copy-box,  coming  from  the  news-editors'  table  on  the 
floor  below,  and  adjoining  this  is  an  imposing-stone  nine  feet  long.  West  of  the 
imposing-stone  is  the  "  make-up,"  twenty-seven  by  fifteen  feet,  the  floor  of  which 
is  laid  with  one-eighth-inch  iron  to  prevent  the  wear  and  tear  of  the  heavy 
trucks,  on  which  the  forms  are  made  up.  Behind  the  "make-up"  galleys 
are  conveniently  placed  for  different  kinds  of  matter,  —  "'live"  advertisements 
and  "  'live "  and  "  dead "  nonpareil  and  agate.  Adjoining  the  "  make-up  " 
are  located  the  men  who  set  the  advertisements,  and  here  also,  in  a 
recess,  is  the  job-type  used  in  setting  "displayed"  ads.  and  "scare"  heads. 
On  the  north  side  of  this  room  are  stands  for  the  accommodation  of  sixteen  com- 
positors, and  here,  also,  is  the  "  form  "-elevator  (the  form-box  being  made  of  iron), 
through  which  the  pages,  when  made  up,  are  sent  down  to  the  stereotype-room. 
Next  to  the  elevator  (which  is  let  into  the  wall,  and  worked  by  steam)  are  two  proof- 
presses,  and  next  to  these,  again,  on  the  same  side  of  the  room,  is  the  "  dumping  "- 
galley,  where  the  compositors  empty  their  "takes,"  when  completed. 

In  the  L  portion  of  the  room  there  are  twenty-two  double  stands,  at  which  forty- 
four  men  set  type.  These  are  ranged  along  the  eastern  side  of  the  room.  On  the 
opposite  side  are  a  water-closet  and  wash-room,  a  "  sort-room,"  and  "paste-room," 
where  compositors  paste  their  "takes"  together  every  day  (all  compositors  are 
employed  by  the  piece),  in  order  to  get  a  correct  estimate  of  their  previous  day's 
work.  These  rooms  are  covered  over  or  decked,  and  above  them  are  arranged 
numbered  books  for  the  accommodation  of  the  clothing  of  sixty  or  seventy  men. 
Rooker  cases  are  used,  and  the  stands  are  made  of  hard-wood,  from  a  pattern,  sup- 
plied by  the  office,  which  has  been  in  use   for  some  time.     The   force   ordinarily 


68  History  of  the  Herald. 

employed  in  this  department  numbers  fiftj-five,  consisting  of  a  foreman,  four  assist- 
ants, three  proof-readers,  and  three  copy-holders,  one  reviser  of  proofs,  four  boys, 
and  thirty-nine  compositors ;  but,  in  the  busy  season,  when  twelve-page  papers  and 
supplements  are  issued,  the  number  is  increased  to  seventy  or  seventy-five  men.  In 
addition  to  the  above  conveniences,  there  are  many  others  which  the  practised  eye 
of  a  "daily"  printer  will  readily  discover.  The  composing-room  is  in  direct  com- 
munication with  the  counting-room  by  speaking  and  pneumatic  tubes,  as  also  with 
the  delivery  and  stereotype  departments,  and  the  managing  and  news  editors' 
rooms.  The  room  is  lighted  at  night,  over  the  "  make-up  "  and  "  stone,"  by  gas-jets 
suspended  from  the  ceiling;  the  galleys,  job-stands,  and  desks,  by  wall  brackets; 
and  the  compositors'  stands  are  lighted  by  gas  supplied  through  risers  from  the  floor. 
The  "  lay-out  "  of  the  room  is  such,  that  the  foreman  in  charge  can  stand  at  the  copy- 
box,  and  take  in  at  a  glance  the  whole  of  the  composing-room,  and  the  work  that  is 
being  done.  Every  appointment  and  appliance  to  complete  and  facilitate  work,  that 
experience  or  thoughtfulness  can  suggest,  are  to  be  found  in  this  composing-room, 
which  is,  therefore,  one  of  the  best  equipped  for  the  work  to  be  found  anywhere  in 
the  world. 

The  stereotype  foundry  is  located  in  the  rear  basement,  and  is  where  the  plates 
are  made  and  prepared  for  the  presses.  The  plates,  so  called,  are  facsimiles  of 
the  form  to  be  printed,  reproduced  in  solid  metal,  and  curved  to  fit  on  to  the 
cylinder  of  the  press.  The  matrix  for  the  casting  is  made  by  placing  on  the  face 
of  the  type  several  thicknesses  of  paper,  pasted  together.  The  form  is  then  run 
under  a  roller  at  great  pressure,  which  squeezes  the  paper  into  the  face  of  the  type. 
The  form,  with  the  paper  thus  pressed  into  it,  is  transferred  to  a  steam  table,  where 
the  paper  (under  pressure  to  prevent  its  warping  or  shrinking  in  the  process)  is 
dried,  and  it  conies  oflf  browned  and  hardened  into  a  complete  matrix.  At  one 
side  of  the  room  is  a  furnace,  where  the  metal  used  is  kept  in  a  state  of  fusion.  Around 
it  are  casting-boxes,  into  the  concave  side  of  which  the  matrix  is  secured,  the  con- 
vex fitting  quite  closely  to  it.  The  box  is  then  placed  in  a  proper  position, 
the  metal  poured  in,  and  in  a  few  seconds  a  rough  plate  is  taken  out  of  it.  A  good 
matrix  will  cast  from  eight  to  ten  plates.  The  plate  is  then  trimmed  and  bevelled 
at  the  ends,  so  as  to  be  easily  secured  upon  the  press.  It  is  then  rapidly  gone  over 
by  the  workmen,  and  the  large  blanks  chiselled  out,  after  which  it  is  placed  in  a 
machine,  where  a  revolving  knife  quickly  reduces  its  inner  surface  to  a  face  that 
gives  the  entire  shell  a  uniform  thickness.  Formerly  it  took  from  twenty-five  to 
thirty  minutes  after  the  delivery  of  the  form  to  produce  the  first  plate.  Now  the 
same  result  is  reached  in  from  fourteen  to  eighteen  minutes.  Of  course,  duplicates 
are  produced  much  faster.  Formerly  it  took  from  seven  to  eight  minutes  to  produce 
a  duplicate.  Now  it  takes  from  fit^e  to  six  minutes.  Two  minutes  may  seem  a  short 
time,  but,  in  the  work  of  issuing  to  the  public  the  latest  news,  they  may  be  all- 
important.     After  the  plates  are  delivered  to  the  press,  the  latter  is  ready  to  start  in 


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History  of  the  Herald.  69 

one  minute.  It  requires  eight  plates  for  each  of  the  four  presses  used,  and  from  two 
to  four  plates  for  each  for  every  new  edition.  In  this  way  the  presses  require  daily 
for  evening  editions  about  sixty-eight  plates,  each  plate  being  one  page  of  the  paper. 
Including  the  morning  edition,  the  total  average  of  plates  used  daily  on  the  presses 
is  one  hundred.  As  each  plate  weighs  about  sixty  pounds,  we  have  here  about  six 
thousand  pounds,  or  three  tons,  of  metal  to  be  handled  daily  in  printing  the 
Herald. 

The  press-room  is  located  in  the  front  basement,  and  contains  four  Bullock  per- 
fecting-presses ;  but  there  are  pits  for  six,  when  the  occasion  calls  for  them-  Three 
of  these  presses  are  capable  of  turning  oif  each  twenty  thousand  printed  papers  an 
hour,  and  one  —  the  improved  Bullock  —  has  already  turned  otf  twenty-six  thousand 
in  an  hour,  and  it  is  thought  it  has  not  yet  attained  its  maximum  speed.  The  improve- 
ment in  this  press  consists  in  simplifying  and  lessening  the  details  in  its  machinery. 
These  four  presses  are  now  capable  of  printing  in  twelve  hours  more  papers  than  all 
the  other  daily  presses  in  Boston  can  produce  in  twenty-four  hours.  They  are 
driven  by  a  shaft  beneath,  which  runs  the  whole  length  of  the  front  building,  the 
power  being  derived  from  two  fifty-seven  horse-power  engines,  only  orte  of  which, 
however,  is  used  at  a  time.  There  are  two  wetting-machines,  which  are  quite  busily 
employed,  as  they  have  to  wet  down  thirty  rolls  of  paper  a  day,  this  being  the 
amount  ordinarily  used.  These  rolls  are  in  width  double  the  length  of  the  Herald, 
so  that  two  papers  are  produced  at  every  revolution  of  the  cylinder.  They  each 
contain  about  three  miles  in  length  of  paper,  so  that  about  ninety  miles  of  paper  are 
used  each  day  to  furnish  the  readers  of  this  paper  with  the  number  of  copies  they 
require.  The  weight  of  a  roll  is  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  pounds,  so  that  in 
weight  the  daily  consumption  of  paper  is  five  and  one-quarter  tons.  When  wetted, 
each  roll  weighs  three  hundred  and  eighty  pounds.  When  the  paper  on  the  roll  is 
exhausted,  it  takes  only  about  thirty  seconds  to  replace  it,  and  the  press  goes  on, 
almost  without  interruption  it  may  be  said.  Quite  an  important  adjunct  to  the 
turning  out  of  papers  are  rollers.  These  are  made  of  glue,  glycerine,  and  syrup,  in 
certain  proportions,  melted  together,  and  run  into  circular  moulds  around  cores  of 
wood,  to  which  they  adhere,  and  are  drawn  when  cool,  presenting  a  smooth  surface. 
These  are  fixed  on  the  press,  and  kept  covered  with  ink  smoothly  distributed  over 
them,  and  they  in  turn  give  off  this  ink  to  the  plates,  and  the  plates  to  the  paper  by 
pressure.  There  are  used  for  roller-making  purposes  every  week  one  hundred  and 
fifty  pounds  French  coignet  glue,  forty  gallons  best  sugar-house  syrup,  and  ten 
gallons  best  second-grade  glycerine.  The  amount  of  ink  used  per  week  is  about  one 
thousand  pounds.  After  the  papers  are  printed,  they  are  rapidly  conveyed  to  a  point 
under  the  delivery-room,  thrown  upon  the  table,  through  which  the  arms  of  an 
elevator  rise,  carry  them  upwards,  dump  them  out  upon  an  incline,  and  they  drop 
upon  a  table,  to  be  taken  charge  of  by  the  delivery-clerks.  Besides  various  other 
conveniences  and  appurtenances   for  a  press-room,  there  is  a  machine-shop,  with 


70  History  of  the  Herald. 

lathe,  forge,  and  all  materials  and  tools  required  to  make  repairs.  Here  a  machinist 
is  emploj-ed,  who  occupies  his  whole  time  in  keeping  the  presses  and  all  other 
machinery  in  the  establishment  in  order,  so  that  altogether  the  fit-out  seems 
tolerably  complete. 

The  delivery-room  occupies  the  whole  area  of  the  first  floor  of  the  rear  building 
and  L^  forming  an  angular  apartment,  the  main  entrance  to  which  is  on  Williams 
court,  above  which  it  is  raised  about  four  feet,  there  being  a  broad  flight  of  iron- 
glass  steps  to  get  to  it.  There  is  also  an  entrance  from  the  counting-room  by  a 
passage-way  and  ascent  of  four  steps,  the  rear  floor  being  some  three  feet  higher  than 
the  one  in  thfe  counting-room.  On  the  left  of  the  Williams-court  entrance  is  the 
ticket-office,  which  is  fronted  with  a  railing,  behind  which  newsmen  and  newsboys 
file  to  get  their  tickets  (all  papers  delivered  at  the  counters  being  paid  for  only  in 
this  way).  This  arrangement  leaves  an  open  passage-way  in  the  centre,  and  pre- 
vents crowding.  In  the  rear  apartment,  facing  the  main  entrance,  are  the  mailing, 
bundling,  and  delivery  counters.  There  are  three  series  of  these,  the  rear  com- 
prising two  separate  ones,  and  a  long  counter  placed  against  the  wall,  at  which 
mailing  and  bundling  are  done.  The  front  consists  of  a  single  counter,  twenty- 
seven  feet  in  length,  which  is  used  altogether  for  delivery  to  carriers  and  newsboys. 
This  latter  is  fronted  with  a  railing,  also,  behind  which  the  buyers  pass  to  secure 
their  papers.  The  tickets  vary  in  denomination,  from  four  to  one  thousand,  and  the 
ticket-clerk  sells  them  to  parties  according  to  their  rotation  in  the  ranks,  who  then 
step  outside  the  railing,  and  wait  to  be  called  in  their  oi-der  of  precedence.  Behind 
the  counters  are  appliances  for  doing  all  the  business  to  be  done  with  the  utmost 
despatch ;  for,  where  there  is  to  be  a  delivery  of  fifty  thousand  papers  within  a  single 
hour,  there  must  be  lively  work  to  accomplish  it.  The  bundles  are  for  delivery  by 
express,  and  a  passage-way  out  to  the  court,  in  the  rear  of  the  ticket-office,  is  pro- 
vided, so  that  this  branch  of  the  work  may  not  be  hindered  or  interfere  with  the 
delivery  in  other  departments.  The  counters  are  divided  underneath  into  compart- 
ments for  containing  wrappers  fo^  bundles,  etc.  There  are  in  the  room  speaking- 
tubes,  connecting  with  the  editorial,  stereotype,  press,  and  composing  rooms,  and 
the  business  office,  whereby  instant  communication  can  be  had  with  these  depart- 
partments.  The  pneumatic  tube,  also,  passes  through  the  room,  so  that  orders  from 
the  counting-room  can  be  had,  and  the  necessity  for  sending  by  messenger  done 
away  with.  In  the  rear,  on  one  side,  are  wardrobes  and  water-closets,  and  a  con- 
siderable space  intended  for  folding-machines,  though  this  may  be  unoccupied, 
owing  to  a  new  folding-attachment  to  the  presses,  which  may  be  adopted.  In  the 
extreme  rear  is  the  office  of  the  superintendent  of  the  delivery  department.  Besides 
the  light  from  the  Williams-court  front,  the  room  receives  ample  light  through  the 
area  windows.  From  this  room  the  basement  can  be  reached  by  a  winding  stair- 
case.    The  latter  can  also  be  reached  by  a  broad  stairway  leading  down  to  the  boiler- 


STEREOTYPE  ROOM.  —  [Section  of  Basement  looking  East.] 


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PRESS  ROOM.—  [Section  of  Basement  looking  West] 


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History  of  the  Herald,  71 

room,  from  Williams  court.     There  are  employed  in  this  department  thirteen  day 
and  six  night  men. 

The  basement  covers  the  whole  area  of  ground  in  the  estate  enclosed  within  the 
walls.  Its  depth  in  the  front  and  back  to  where  the  rear  buildings  commence  is 
thirteen  feet  in  the  clear.  Back  of  that  it  is  sixteen  feet,  the  lower  floor  of  the  rear 
building  rising  three  feet  above  that  of  the  front  building.  The  front  portion  of  this 
large  basement  is  devoted  to  the  presses.  In  the  rear  of  the  press-room,  and  oppo- 
site the  L  basement,  are  two  Harris-Corliss  engines,  of  fiftj-seven  horse-power  each, 
cylinders  fourteen  by  twenty-six  inches,  and  driving-wheels  ten  feet  in  diameter, 
with  eighteen  and  a  half  inches  width  of  rim.  These  can  be  run  either  separately 
or  together.  They  are  fitted  with  the  Harris  improved  packing.  Between  these, 
and  connected  with  the  boiler-feed,  is  an  improved  hater ,  filled  with  brass  tubes, 
and  having  an  expansion-top,  which  gives  it  the  capacity  to  expand  without  bring- 
ing the  strain  on  the  outside  shell.  The  bottom  of  this  affair  is  so  arranged  that 
deposits  can  be  removed  without  having  to  take  the  heater  down.  In  the  L,  the 
furnace  doors  facing  Williams  court,  there  are  two  steel  boilers,  each  five  feet  in 
diameter  and  sixteen  feet  in  length.  These  boilers  are  set  in  their  brick-woi-k 
covering  according  to  a  new  plan,  which  allows  the  heat  from  the  fire  or  flame  to 
completely  envelop  them  all  around,  as  well  as  to  pass  through  the  tubes  in  them. 
These  are  the  first  in  Boston  set  up  in  this  peculiar  manner,  and  a  great  saving  in 
fuel  is  anticipated  therefrom.  The  boilers  are  each  eighty  horse-power,  and  furnish 
the  steam  for  power  and  heating  purposes  for  the  entire  building.  Beside  the 
improvement  noted,  the  flue-doors  are  operated  by  counter-balances,  to  keep  them 
open  while  the  fire  is  being  raked  and  coal  added ;  and  the  fire-doors  are  fitted  with 
perforated  linings,  so  as  to  afford  a  passage  inward  for  cold  air.  In  the  rear  of 
these  boilers  are  two  Knowles  improved  patent  pumps,  which  are  used  to  draw  the 
supply  of  water  for  steam  purposes  through  the  heater.  In  the  rear  of  the  basement 
beyond  the  engines  is  the  stereotyping  department.  It  may  be  inferred  that  so  large 
an  underground  department  must  be  sombre,  and  even  dark.  But  such  is  not  the 
case.  The  light  from  the  street  sidewalks,  from  under  the  front  windows,  and  from 
the  three  areas,  as  well  as  from  the  Williams-court  front,  all  combine  to  give  the 
basement  a  good  share  of  daylight,  if  not  sunlight;  while  it  is  at  once  a  well-warmed 
and  well-ventilated  apartment  in  the  winter  season,  and  in  summer  it  can  be  kept 
cool  with  a  constant  renewal  of  fresh  air  from  without. 

When  the  plans  for  the  new  Herald  building  were  completed,  it  was  found 
that  the  bottom  of  the  cellar  or  basement  would  be  so  much  lower  than  the  sewers  on 
Washington  street  that  it  would  be  necessary  to  construct  a  private  drain  under  the 
whole  system  of  sewers  and  pipes,  and  carry  the  same  to  a  lower  level,  where  it 
could  be  joined  to  the  main  sewer.  To  carry  out  this  plan,  two  courses  were  open, 
—  one,  to  make  an  open  cut  diagonally  across  Washington  street  and  down  Water 
street,  and  the  other  to  tunnel  under  those  streets.     The  latter  project  was  decided 


72  History  of  the  Herald. 

upon,  and  the  tunnel  was  commenced  on  the  19th  of  March,  1877,  starting  from  the 
building  twenty  feet  under  the  sidewalk.  At  the  same  time  a  hole  was  dug  on 
Water  street,  opposite  the  "Journal "-building,  and  the  work  prosecuted  from  that 
end  upwards.  The  length  of  the  tunnel  driven  was  one  hundred  and  seventj-five 
feet,  and  nearly  the  whole  of  the  earth  removed  was  returned  by  tamping  solidly 
around  the  twelve-inch  drain-pipe,  which  was  laid  without  being  taken  out  of  the 
tunnel.  This  undertaking  was  carried  to  a  successful  termination  —  the  drain  being 
let  into  the  "Journal"  building  sewer  some  eighty  feet  below  the  corner  of  Water 
street,  and  the  street  opened  to  travel  —  on  the  5th  day  of  April.  The  cost  of  this  • 
work  was  about  nine  hundred  dollars. 

The  building  is  heated  by  steam.  Exclusive  of  the  water-closet  service,  there 
are  in  the  building  about  six  thousand  feet  of  piping,  ranging  in  diameter  from  one 
to  six  inches.  This  does  not  include,  of  course,  gas-piping.  Every  room  is  provided 
with  one  or  more  radiators,  and  the  composing  and  press  rooms  with  circulating 
pipes  in  addition.  There  are  in  the  entire  building  about  one  thousand  two 
hundred  loops  (in  radiators),  each  loop  having  a  heating-surface  of  three  feet,  or 
three  thousand  six  hundred  square  feet  of  heating-surface  in  all.  Exhaust  steam  is 
used  for  heating,  principally ;  though,  by  an  ingenious  contrivance,  if  this  is  found 
to  be  insufficient,  a  connection  is  made  directly  with  the  boilers,  so  that  live  steam 
can  be  supplied  to  make  up  any  deficiency.  To  prevent  any  danger  from  too  great 
a  pressure,  the  apparatus  is  supplied  with  an  automatic  regulating  valve,  which 
never  permits  a  pressure  of  over  ten  pounds  to  be  supplied  to  the  heating-pipes. 
The  steam  condensed  in  the  radiators  and  pipes  —  or  rather  the  water  resulting 
from  such  condensation  —  is  returned  by  separate  pipes  to  the  basement. 

The  system  of  ventilation  is  quite  elaborate  and  complete.  The  upper  section 
of  the  front  building  has  a  separate  system,  every  room  having  ventilators  (as  well  as 
open  fireplaces),  which  lead  downward  into  the  press-room,  and  up  again  into  the 
main  ventilating  shaft.  The  water-closets,  however,  are  ventilated  in  the  partitions 
by  tin  tubing,  which  leads  up  into,  a  space  between  the  ceiling  of  the  upper  room  and 
the  roof,  where  there  are  two  ventilators, — an  injecting  and  an  ejecting  one,  so  to 
speak, — in  order  to  create  a  continuous  di;aft  upwards.  The  water-closets  have 
large  six-inch  traps,  from  the  upper  end  or  portion  of  which  the  ventilating-tubes 
lead,  thus  insuring  a  most  certain  immunity  froin  all  sewer  and  other  noxious 
exhalations.  The  press-room  is  ventilated  by  a  shaft,  which  is  carried  underground 
to  the  main  shaft.  This  latter  is  a  brick  tower,  situated  at  the  angle  of  the  junction 
between  the  rear  building  and  L,  and  carried  above  the  building,  through  which  the 
iron  smoke-stack  leading  from  the  boilers  is  run,  giving  off  great  heat,  and  thus 
forming  a  fierce  upward  draft.  This  tower  is  placed,  by  means  of  pipes,  in  commu- 
nication with  every  room  in  the  building,  as  well  as  directly  by  openings  with 
those  adjoining,  and  thus  keeps  constantly  drawing  air  from  them  through  open- 
ings near  the  floor  as  well  as  near  the  ceiling,  keeping  up  a  constant  change  of  air 


WiLLMMS  ;£WlFiT  imMT. 


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History  of  the  Herald.  73 

in  them.  To  give  an  idea  of  the  extent  of  this  system  of  ventilation  through  pipes 
and  a  general  outlet,  it  may  be  said  that  running  through  and  from  the  press-room 
alone  there  are  fifty  eight-inch  flues. 

There  is  more  gas-piping  in  the  Herald  building  than  in  the  City  Hall,  and 
that  contains  more  than  any  other  building  in  Boston.  The  pipe  used  varies  from 
one-quarter  inch  to  three  and  one-half  inches,  inside  diameter,  and  the  total  length 
of  all  in  the  building  is  about  nine  thousand  feet.  Pipes  have  been  put  in  at  places 
where  they  may  never  be  needed ;  but  are  placed  there  in  anticipation  of  possible 
contingencies,  and  to  prevent  a  tearing  down  of  the  walls  in  case  such  should  arise. 
Gas  can  be  let  on,  or  turned  oft",  in  any  of  the  rooms  at  any  time.  Each  of  the 
various  sections  of  the  building  also  h^s  a  separate  system,  where  the  supply  can  be 
let  on,  cut  off,  or  otherwise  regulated.  For  the  front  business  office  there  are  four 
six-light  chandeliers,  corona  pattern,  made  of  brass,  and  polished  to  a  burnished  sur- 
face. The  two-light  chandeliers  in  the  front  windows  are  also  of  polished  brass,  and 
of  a  new  and  beautiful  design.  In  the  small  vestibule  leading  to  the  upper  por- 
tion of  the  building  is  a  hanging  lantern,  with  ground-glass  panels,  and  framework 
of  polished  brass.  Opposite  the  entrance  to  the  business  office,  on  the  curb  of  the 
sidewalk,  are  two  ornamental  iron  posts,  each  bearing  two  lamps,  on  arms  in  the 
shape  of  candelabra.  The  lamps  are  globular  in  shape,  with  solid  bronze  frames, 
and  are  richly  ornamented.  The  diameter  of  the  globes  is  twenty  inches,  and  they 
are  formed  of  ground-glass  panels,  on  which  are  engraved  the  words  "Boston 
Herald."  At  the  top  of  the  globes  are  bronze  caps,  terminating  in  foliated  finials, 
all  of  the  same  metal.  The  bottoms  of  the  lamps  are  eleven  feet  above  the  curb,  and 
the  total  height  of  the  posts,  equipped,  is  fifteen  feet. 

There  are  in  the  building,  or  that  part  of  it  used  by  the  Herald  establishment, 
—  exclusive  of  the  rooms  above  the  first  floor  in  the  front,  —  about  four  hundred  gas- 
burners,  of  which  number  one  hundred  and  twenty  are  found  in  the  composing- 
room  alone.  These  burners  are  all  supplied  with  Bogart's  Automatic  Electric  Gas- 
lighting  Apparatus,  by  which  flame  may  be  instantaneously  communicated  to  a 
burner-tip  at  an^;  moment,  day  or  night,  without  the  use  of  matches  or  borrowed 
fire.  The  turning  of  a  thumb-screw  on  the  burner  lets  on  the  gas,  and  at  the  same 
time  brings  a  fine  wire  in  contact  with  the  tip,  opposite  the  point  where  it  is  touched 
by  the  battery-wire,  which  forms  for  a  moment  a  connection,  and  induces  a  current. 
As  the  fine  wire  leaves  the  point  of  contact,  a  spark  is  produced,  which  fires  the  gas, 
and  the  burner  is  lighted.  In  the  Herald  establishment  more  than  a  mile  of  wires 
are  in  place,  and  no  burner  is  omitted.  Of  course,  in  case  of  accidents  to  wires  or 
battery,  or  burner  apparatus,  the  lights  may  be  produced  by  the  ordinary  method, 
there  being  no  diflerence  in  the  manner  of  conducting  and  using  gas. 

The  plumbing  comprises  the  general  water-service,  and  the  erection  of  washing 
and  water-closet  facilities.  The  building  contains  twenty-four  wash-basins,  twenty- 
six  water-closets,  six  urinals,  ten  soapstone  sinks,  and  three  lead-lined  sinks  for 


74  History  of  the  Herald. 

washing  rollers.  The  closets  are  probably  the  most  perfect  of  their  kind,  ventilated 
bj  a  new  system  :  firstly,  from  the  soil-pipe,  and,  secondly,  from  the  basin,  venti- 
lated from  around  its  upper  rim.  The  urinals  are  also  ventilated,  and  both  on  them 
and  on  the  basins  there  are  large  six-inch  traps,  which  are  likewise  on  all  waste- 
water-pipes.  The  waste  is  all  carried  off  into  the  soil-pipes  in  two-inch  lead  pipe. 
The  soil-pipes  are  of  two  sizes,  viz.  :  five-inch  and  four-inch,  and  are  lined  with  lead. 
Of  the  former  there  are  two  hundred  feet,  and  of  the  latter  one  hundred  feet.  The 
floors  under  the  basins  and  urinals  are  covered  with  lead  safety-pans,  from  which 
there  run  pipes  down  into  the  basement,  preventing  the  overflowing  of  the  floors 
in  case  of  leakage,  and  warning  those  in  the  basement  that  there  is  a  leak. 

The  water-supply  is  taken  by  two  two-inch  lead  pipes  from  the  Washington- 
street  front,  and  one  two-inch  pipe  from  Williams  court.  Of  this  kind  of  pipe  there 
are  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet ;  of  three-quarter-inch,  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet ; 
and  of  five-eighths-inch  pipe,  two  hundred  feet.  The  faucets  are  all  patent  self- 
closers,  so  that  it  is  impossible  for  the  water  to  be  left  running  while  they  are  in 
order.  Each  branch  of  supply  is  protected  by  a  stopcock,  and  these  are  so  arranged 
or  placed  that  the  water  can  be  shut  off  from  all  sections,  or  from  any  one  section 
of  the  building. 

The  pneumatic  tube,  a  brass  pipe,  two  and  one-half  inches  in  diameter,  runs 
from  the  front  counter  in  the  business  office,  down  into  the  basement,  along  its 
ceiling,  up  to  a  point  below  the  delivery-room,  in  the  rear  building,  where  it  sweeps 
upwards,  and  thence  runs  vertically  up  to  the  composing-room,  an  entire  distance  of 
one  hundred  and  thirty-two  feet,  with  switches  in  the  delivery,  managing  editor's, 
and  news  editors'  rooms.  It  is  operated  by  a  pressure  blower,  and  by  an'  ingenious 
application  is  made  to  operate  either  way,  so  that  despatch-boxes  may  be  sent  either 
up  or  down.  The  despatch-boxes  are  cylinders  of  stiff  leather,  nine  inches  in 
length,  with  an  inside  diameter  of  one  and  three-quarter  inches,  and  each  will  con- 
tain a  package  the  size  of  three  copies  pf  the  Herald  rolled  up  together.  In  com- 
bination with  the  tube  are  electric  signals  from  the  front  office  to  all  the  rooms 
having  connection,  so  that  the  occupants  may  be  notified  to  open  the  switches  when 
a  box  is  sent  to  them.  The  time  occupied  in  sending  a  despatch  through  the  tube, 
from  the  business  office  to  the  composing-room,  or  return,  is  five  seconds. 

The  wood  finish  in  the  front  building,  as  stated  elsewhere,  is  entirely  of  oak, 
and  is  equal  to  that  put  upon  the  best  and  most  costly  residences  to  be  found  in  this 
city.  Some  fifty  thousand  feet  of  oak  lumber  have  been  used.  The  rear  buildings 
are  finished  in  ash,  of  which  some  fifty-five  thousand  feet  were  used,  and  it  presents 
some  of  the  best  exhibits  in  the  natural  woods  to  be  found  anywhere.  Not  a  foot  of 
the  finish  wood-work  of  the  Herald  building  is  painted.  The  floors  and  floor 
timbers  are  of  hard-pine,  of  which  some  one  hundred  and  eight  thousand  feet  were 
used.  The  counter-top  in  the  business  office,  as  well  as  the  finish  on  this  floor, 
including  that  of  the  private  office  of  the  business  manager,  are  of  mahogany  and 


History  of  the  Herald.  75 

cherrv,  and  are  very  superior  specimens  of  the  carpenter's  skill.  These  required 
five  thousand  five  hundred  feet  of  mahogany  ajid  three  thousand  feet  of  cherry  wood 
to  produce.  There  were  used  also  one  hundred  and  ten  thousand  feet  of  spruce 
and  sixty-five  thousand  feet  of  ordinary  pine  lumber,  making  a  grand  total  of  lumber 
required  in  the  building  of  four  hundred  thousand  square  feet. 

Not  the  least  useful  appliance,  when  the  occasion  demands,  is  an  apparatus 
connected  with  the  city  fire-alarm  circuit,  which  announces  to  the  inmates  of  the 
news  and  telegraph  editors'  room  the  existence  of  a  fire  in  the  city.  It  consists  of 
an  ordinary  helix  and  magnet,  over  which  is  a  small  ornamented  brass  gong,  which 
is  struck  by  a  brass  hammer  attached  to  the  armature  opposite  the  magnetic  poles. 
It  is  as  delicate  as  an  ordinary  instrument  used  in  sending  telegraphic  messages,  is 
operated  upon  precisely  the  same  principle,  and  requires  no  clock-work  to  give  th^ 
blow,  as  is  the  case  with  heavier  instruments. 

Speaking-tubes  and  electric  bells,  as  above  noted,  connect  nearh'  all  the  rooms 
and  departments.  There  are  in  the  building  about  four  thousand  feet  of  tubing,  and 
one  hundred  and  fifteen  mouth-pieces,  and  sixty  electric  call-bells,  operated  through 
ten  thousand  feet  of  wires. 

The  Herald  building  was  designed  by  Mr.  Carl  Fehmer,  architect,  and  was 
erected  under  the  superintendence  of  Mr.  John  W.  Leighton,  contractor  and  builder, 
both  of  Boston. 

The  work  of  demolishing  the  old  buildings  on  the  site  was  begun  April  2, 
1877,  and  completed  April  19.  Excavations  for  the  foundations  were  finished  June 
21,  when  the  new  walls  were  begun.  The  whole  structure  was  completed  and 
occupied  on  Saturday,  February  9,  1878;  and  the  public  was  invited  to  inspect  its 
interior.  Though  the  weather  was  unpropitious,  there  was  a  constant  stream  of 
visitors  from  early  in  the  morning  until  late  at  night,  and  the  rush  maybe  estimated 
when  it  is  stated  that,  by  actual  count,  for  one  hour  —  and  that  hardly  an  average 
one — in  the  forenoon,  the  number  of  persons  entering  by  the  Washington-street 
front  was  three  thousand  six  hundred.  From  there,  after  viewing  the  counting-room, 
they  thronged  the  whole  building,  so  that  on  every  stair  and  in  every  passage- 
way were  crowds  to  be  found  in  motion.  At  this  rate  there  were  thirty-six  thou- 
sand visitors  in  ten  hours,  and  it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  at  least  thirty  thousand 
people  visited  the  new  building  on  the  day  it  was  opened.  The  count  at  the  business 
office  did  not,  of  course,  include  the  great  number  who  came  in  at  the  Williams- 
court  entrance,  and,  after  "doing"  the  rear  buildings,  descended  to  the  business 
oi^ce.  The  scenes,  incidents,  criticisms,  etc.,  if  reported,  would  fill  a  dozen  papers. 
There  was  no  disorder  or  vandalism,  however,  all  coming  and  going  on  their  good 
behavior,  and  all  alike  well  pleased, —  the  men  of  taste  and  refinement  as  well  as  the 
less  fortunate  in  these  respects.  To  the  proprietors  and  attaches  of  the  Herald  the 
day  was  one  of  excitement;  pleasurable,  to  be  sure,  but  not  wholly  conducive  to  a 
proper  state  of  abstraction  which  produces  results  in  words.     On   the   following 


76  ^  History  of  the  Herald. 

Monday,  the  number  of  visitors  was  almost,  if  not  fully,  as  great  as  on  the  day  the 
building  was  first  opened.  People  poured  in  in  crowds,  and  passed  through  the 
various  departments,  giving  frequent  expression  of  their  surprise  at  the  numerous 
and  perfect  appointments  of  the  establishment.  To  many  of  the  callers  the  per- 
fecting-presses,  pneumatic  tubes,  electric  call-bells,  stereotyping,  and  electric  gas- 
lighting  apparatus  were  entirely  new.  Printers,  literary  and  other  professional 
men,  were  lavish  in  complimentary  expressions,  pronouncing  the  building  and  the 
auxiliaries  for  conducting  the  newspaper  business  the  finest  and  best  in  America. 
Two  old  and  well-known  newspaper  men  met,  after  a  tour  of  inspection,  and  their 
opinions  may  be  best  given  in  their  own  words  :  "Frank,"  said  one,  "  if  we  could 
conceive  of  this  thing  thirty  years  back,  we  should  say  it  was  a  dream  induced  by 
reading  the  'Arabian  Nights.'  Just  contrast  this  business  office  with  those  of  news- 
papers at  that  time,  and  the  new  Herald  editorial  rooms,  reporters'  quarters,  and 
composing-room,  with  the  dirty  little  hog-pens  of  that  day,  and  say  if  there  is  not 
such  a  thing  as  progress."  —  "  It  does  seem  marvellous,"  was  the  reply,  "  and  yet  it 
is  only  in  keeping  with  the  growing  taste  and  spirit  of  the  age.  A  good  many  may 
say  it  is  too  fast;  but  I  tell  you,  I  venture  to  say,  that  this  fine  building,  with  all  its 
modern  and  superior  appointments,  has  been  erected  and  finished  at  a  price  that  a 
plain  building  of  the  kind,  very  plainly  and  dully  finished  and  furnished,  would 
have  cost  ten  years  ago.  The  enterprise  displayed  by  the  proprietors  is,  after  all,  in 
the  line  of  true  economy.  They  have  called  to  their  aid  all  the  best  mechanical, 
scientific,  and  other  assistants,  and  as  •  a  result,  they  have  certainly  the  finest 
newspaper  office  in  the  country,  if  not  in  the  world." 


VIII. 

PRESS    NOTICES. 

PLEASANT  WORD   AND  KINDLY  REMEMBRANCES  FROM  ALL  qUARTERS. 

On  the  day  its  new  building  was  first  occupied  the  Herald  published  a  sketch 
of  its  history  (from  which  the  principal  portion  of  this  volume  is  compiled),  a 
description  and  engraving  of  the  structure,  etc. ;  and  its  contemporaries  in  all  sec- 
tions of  the  country  improved  the  occasion  to  say  kind  things  of  the  paper  and  its 
owners  and  conductors  in  the  kindest  possible  way.  Congratulations  and  good 
wishes  came  from  all  quarters ;  and  a  very  gratifying  fact  was  that  diff'erences  of 
opinion  upon  political  or  other  public  questions  made  no  difference  in  their  warmth 


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History  of  the  Herald.  11 

and  heartiness.  The  proprietors  and  editors  profoundly  appreciate  these  encourag- 
ing salutations,  and  thank  their  brethren  of  the  press  most  sincerely;  and,  while 
thev  try  not  to  be  made  vain  by  all  the  pleasant  things  which  have  been  said,  will 
also  try  to  justify,  so  far  as  they  can,  the  kindly  words  which  have  been  printed,  so 
that  they  shall  never  cause  regret  to  those  who  have  used  them. 

Appended   are   some   of   the   pleasant  press   notices  which   the    Herald   has 
received  :  —  .-; 

From  the  Boston  Advertiser. 

No  more  striking  instance  of  newspaper  enterprise  and  progress  can  be  cited  than  that  of  our  adven- 
turous neighbor,  the  Herald.  From  the  most  modest  beginning,  its  course  in  recent  years  has  been 
steadily  upward,  increasing  in  circulation  and  at  the  same  time  in  usefulness  and  power.  Tears  have 
come  and  gone ;  great  parties  have  risen  and  fallen,  and  the  world  has  passed  through  all  the  phases 
incident  to  the  history  of  a  generation;  and  through  it  all  our  little  friend  has  pursued  its  own  course, 
following  nobody's  lead,  to  great  success  and  prosperity.  Starting  on  the  Slat  of  August,  1846,  as  an 
evening  edition  of  the  "American  Eagle,"  with  one  editor  and  two  enterprising  "locals,"  it  has  extended 
its  borders,  until  to-day  it  numbers  on  its  pay-roU  two-hundred  men,  and  all  of  these  are  within  the  building. 
The  number  of  correspondents  and  outside  men  is  fully  equal  to  the  regular  force.  The  paper  has  num- 
bered among  its  contributors,  both  permanent  and  transient,  many  keen,  bright  men,  who  have  done  much 
to  give  the  Herald  its  reputation  for  newsiness  and  readable  paragraphs.  Its  independence  has  frequently 
brought  down  upon  it  the  wrath  of  the  wrong-doers,  but  its  course  has  invariably  resulted  in  victory  for 
the  Herald.  The  remark  is  not  at  all  infrequent  that  it  is  a  mystery  how  such  a  little  sheet  can  contain 
60  much  news.  This  boiling  process  is  a  secret  of  the  editorial  room,  and  will  doubtless  be  disclosed  to 
the  general  public  at  the  same  time  when  the  old  school-master,  of  whom  Goldsmith  charmingly  says,  — 

"  And  still  the  wonder  grew 
That  one  small  head  could  carry  all  he  knew," 

shall  tell  the  gazing  rustics  of  the  secrets  of  his  brain-workings.  The  handsome  structure  on  Washington 
street,  into  which  the  Herald  will  move  to-day,  forms  a  fitting  testimonial  to  business  sagacity  and 
enterprise.  The  outside  appearance  of  the  building  is  not  more  gratifj-ing  to  the  eye  of  the  passer-by 
than  the  interior  appointments  are  gratifying  to  the  experienced  journalist.  Newspaper  men  have  not 
been  accustomed  hitherto  to  enlighten  and  instruct  the  world  fi'om  the  interior  of  such  magnificence  as 
the  new  Herald  oftice,  and  the  erection  of  this  building  mai'ks,  perhaps,  a  new  departure  in  the  scribe's 
abode.  Hereafter  the  public,  when  in  search  of  the  expounder  of  law,  the  administrator  of  justice,  and 
the  guardian  of  public  morals,  will  find  this  aggregated  list  of  virtues  in  the  person  of  the  philosopher 
who  speaks  to  the  world,  not  from  the  corner  of  some  obscure  rookery,  but  from  some  well-appointed 
palace  like  the  Herald  building. 


From  the  Boston  Post. 

On  the  2d  of  last  April  the  first  blow  was  struck  towards  the  construction  of  the  new  office  for  The 
Boston  Herald;  to-day  the  finished  structure  is  thrown  open  to  the  public.  The  building  is  not  only 
one  of  the  best  in  Boston,  but,  as  a  structure  in  which  a  daily  newspaper  is  to  be  made  up  and  from 
which  it  is  to  be  sent  forth,  it  is  unsurpassed  by  any  other  in  the  land.  The  facade  of  the  building,  above 
the  first  story,  has  for  some  time  been  a  familiar  sight  to  every  passer-by;  the  entire  front  is  now  exposed 
to  view,  and  every  one  must  feel  gratified  that  so  handsome  a  building  has  taken  the  place  of  the  ven- 
erable structures  which  formerly  occupied  the  ^me  lot  of  land. 


78  History  of  the  Herald, 

The  handsome  new  Herald  building  was  the  centre  of  attraction  Saturday,  and  thousands  thronged 
its  portals,  wandered  through  the  apartments  to  which  the  public  were  admitted,  or  took  the  exterior 
effects  from  the  sidewalk.  The  proprietors  generously  indulged  this  tendency  to  wonder  and  admire, 
and  they  start  out  under  their  new  conditions  with  the  prestige  of  profound  popular  respect  for  their 
enterprise  and  successful  achievement.  The  "  Post"  congratulates  the  Herald  upon  a  success  so  ably 
earned  and  well  deserved,  and  advances  the  sincere  wish  that  its  future  prosperity  may  be  even  far  in 
excess  of  that  which  it  already  enjoys. 


From  the  Boston  Transcript. 

The  Boston  Daily  and  Sunday  Herald  occupies  to-day,  complete^ in  every  branch  of  its 
editorial,  printing,  and  publishing  departments,  the  new  establishment  upon  which  the  attention  of  the 
proprietors,  their  architect  and  mechanics,  has  been  centred  since  the  work  of  demolishing  the  old 
structure  on  the  new  site  began,  April  2,  last.  An  examihation  of  the  new  quarters,  made  just  previous 
to  their  completion,  revealed  a  series  of  structures  the  beauty  and  utility  of  which  are  not  rivalled  in  this 
city,  or,  so  far  as  our  observation  goes,  in  any  other,  for  the  purposes  to  which  they  are  devoted.  Yet 
this  revelation  is  no  surprise,  when  the  sagacity,  enterprise,  and  energy,  of  the  proprietors,  through  a 
long  newspaper  career,  in  every  respect  practical,  are  taken  into  account.  The  rapid  strides  made  by 
the  Herald  into  popular  estimation  under  their  management  was  a  guaranty  that  whatever  they 
sought  to  do  would  be  done  thoroughly,  and  all  were  prepared  who  knew  them  for  a  splendid  denoue- 
ment of  their  architectural  venture.  

Our  neighbor,  the  Herald,  has  moved  into  sumptuous  quarters  and  takes  a  new  start  to-day.  Its 
prosperity  is  deserved,  for  it  has  shown  business  enterprise  and  business  pluck,  and  its  marked  success 
is  no  more  than  a  fair  reward.  May  you  live  a  thousand  years,  neighbor,  and  may  the  shadows  of  your 
twin  vanes  never  grow  less !  

The  Herald  has  set  two  bright  gas-lights  in  front  of  its  new  building,  and  means  to  shine  for  all. 


From  the  Boston  Journal. 

The  new  building  on  Washington  street,  opposite  our  office,  which  the  enterprising  proprietors  of 
The  liosTON  Herald  have  erected,  was  occupied  to-day  for  the  first  time.  It  is  an  edifice  adapted  to 
the  wants  of  this  well-known  newspaper,  which  has  achieved  a  deserved  success  by  the  untiring  energy, 
marked  ability,  and  liberality  of  its  ma^iagers.  The  oflice  is  complete  in  every  department,  and  nothing 
that  modern  ingenuity  could  suggest  to  promote  the  expedition  of  business  has  been  omitted.  We  wish 
our  neighbors  that  measure  of  prosperity  which  results  from  well-directed  efibrt,  and  may  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  paper  long  continue  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  their  enterprise. 


From  the  Boston  Globe. 

The  Boston  Herald  opened  its  new  building  to  the  public  yesterday,  and  it  is  not  overstating 
the  fact  to  say  that  in  finish  and  appointments  it  is  the  most  perfect  newspaper  office  in  this  country. 
The  first  issue  of  the  paper  from  its  new  establishment  contained  a  long  and  readable  account  of  the 
growth  of  the  paper  from  the  time  it  was  founded  down  to  the  present  day.  Detailed  accounts  are 
given  of  the-  enterprise  and  skill  of  its  publishers  and  editors  in  former  days ;  but  with  a  modesty  which 
cannot  be  too  much  commended,  its  present  managers  omit  to  mention  instances  of  their  own  journalistic 
ability,  although  the  result  of  it  is  seen  in  their  new  building  and  in  a  largely  increased  circulation. 
Rival  newspaper  editors  are  keen  critics,  and,  though  they  may  not  always  acknowledge  it,  are  quick  to 


History  of  the  Herald.  79 

perceive  the  excellences  as  well  as  the  faults  of  their  contemporaries.  Thus  it  can  be  honestly  said  of 
the  Herald  that  it  was  never  conducted  with  more  enterprise  than  it  now  is;  and  its  exceptional  pros- 
perity  is  wholly  deserved. 


From  the  Boston  Traveller. 

On  the  2d  of  last  April  the  construction'of  the  new  office  for  The  Boston  Herald  was  commenced; 
to-day  the  finished  structure  was  thrown  open  to  the  public.  The  building  is  not  only  one  of  the  best  in 
Boston,  but,  as  a  structure  in  which  a  daily  newspaper  is  to  be  made  up  and  from  which  it  is  to  be  sent 
forth,  it  is  unsurpassed  by  any  other  in  the  land. 


From  the  Boston  Sunday  Courier. 

The  crowds  that  surged  into  the  new  Herald  building  all  day  yesterday  doubtlftss  found  much  to 
admire,  although,  as  a  matter  of  course,  they  had  no  opportunity  to  examine  it  in  all  of  its  various  and 
interesting  details.  For  convenience  and  completeness  in  point  of  arrangement  there  is  probably  no 
newspaper  building  in  the  country  that  can  surpass  it,  and  the  managers  of  the  Herald  are  to  be  con- 
gratulated upon  this  latest  result  of  their  energy  and  enterprise. 

We  shall  not  refuse  to  speak  to  the  Herald  people  because  they  have  got  into  a  new  building.  "We 
are  not  proud.    Bitters ,  if  y  ou  please,  with  our  carte-blanche. 


From  the  Boston  Saturday  Evening  Gazette. 

The  Herald  of  yesterday  signalized  the  completion  of  its  new  building  by  the  issue  of  a  quarto 
number  of  its  sheet,  in  which  is  a  fine  engraving  of  the  structure,  and  a  very  elaborate  and  interesting 
history  of  the  paper  from  the  day  of  its  origin.  The  Herald  is  one  of  the  most  signal  triumphs  of 
journalism  in  America.  It  is  a  paper  of  remarkable  enterprise  and  remarkable  ability,  and,  we  may  add, 
of  remarkable  prosperity  as  well.  There  is  a  combination  of  business  and  editorial  capacity  in  its 
management  which  has  fully  earned  for  it  its  success.  It  has  many  well-wishers,  and  few  to  envy  it  the 
new  evidence  of  its  prosperity  that  its  elegant  and  perfectly  appointed  building  manifests. 


From  the  Boston  Commercial  Bulletin. 

The  Boston  Herald  has  taken  possession  of  its  new  building,  which  has  attracted  the  attention 
of  admiring  crowds  all  the  week.  As  an  addition  to  the  handsome  edifices  of  Boston  the  new  Herald 
building  must  rank  as  one  of  the  most  attractive  erected  for  many  years,  and  as  such  is  an  ornament  to 
the  city.  As  a  newspaper  home,  it  is,  both  externally  aiid  internally,  one  of  the  finest  in  the  country. 
Everything  has  been  arranged  with  a  view  to  the  production  of  the  greatest  amount  of  the  best  work  in 
the  shortest  possible  time,  and  nothing  which  a  long  experience  could  suggest  as  likely  to  serve  this  end 
has  been  left  undone.  The  arrangements  are,  seemingly,  perfect,  adding  new  delight  to  the  labor  of  its 
large  force  of  employes,  and  making  as  easy  as  possible  the  severe  labors  of  the  journalist.  The  Herald 
has  achieved  a  grand  success  in  a  long  and  varied  career,  and  finds  none  more  ready  to  recognize  that 
success,  and  the  high  position  it  holds  in  the  journalistic  world,  than  its  city  contemporaries,  who  see  in 
it  a  proof  that  energy,  perseverance,  enterprise,  and  a  careful  study  of.  and  attention  to,  the  wants  of  the 
people,  will  always  receive  their  reward.  We  wish  —  and  know  our  wish  will  be  gratified  —  for  the 
Herald  a  continuance  of  its  success,  and  of  the  public  favor  for  which  it  has  so  ably  striven,  and  of 
■which  it  has  been  the  deserving  recipient. 


80  History  of  the  Herald. 


From  the  Boaton  Commonwealth. 

It  is  really  a  delight  to  a  practical  printer  to  mark  manifest  improvement  in  his  craft,  and  hence  the 
guild  is  complimenting  the  Herald  proprietors,  of  this  city,  for  the  very  complete,  indeed,  perfect, 
establishment  which  they  have  just  set  up,  and  into  which  they  moved  last  Saturday.  They  have  built 
a  magnificent  structure  two  or  three  doors  above  their  old  stand,  on  Washington  street,  which  extends 
far  rearward,  and  has  a  wing  on  Williams  court.  Mr.  Fehmer  was  the  architect,  and  Mr.  Leighton  the 
builder,  and  they  have  given  an  unequalled  office,  —  probably  not  excelled  in  convenience  by  any  in 
the  country,  if  in  the  world.  Equally  in  the  publishing,  editorial,  and  printing  departments  are  the  same 
completeness  and  perfection  manifest.  All  acknowledged  improvements  have  been  introduced,  and 
taste  and  beauty  have  been  added  to  utility.  With  their  model  presses,  stereotype  process,  and 
systematically  arranged  composing-room,  they  can  issue  their  papers  almost  as  rapidly  as  thought  flies, 
and  certainly  keep  up  with  the  demand  in  the  most  exacting  seasons.  The  Herald  is  a  monument  of 
persistent  industry,  indefatigable  energy,  and  practical  sagacity. 


jprom  the  Boaton  Zion^s  Herald. 

Our  secular  namesake,  which  does  not  wear  a  Biblical  cognomen,  nor  afl'ect  to  minister  specially  to 
the  sons  and  daughters  of  Zion,  has  reached  the  golden  era  in  its  history.  Its  noble  granite  establish- 
ment on  Washington  street — one  of  the  finest  in  the  city  —  is  completed,  and  is  a  model  newspaper 
office  every  way.  The  paper  itself  is  in  some  danger  of  losing  its  characteristics  which  made  it  so 
popular  with  simply  sensational  readers,  and  is  becoming  solid,  sifted,  and  sensible.  All  it  needs  is  a 
Christian  baptism,  to  be  one  of  the  best-condensed  and  well-conducted  newspapers  of  the  day.  Under 
its  present  vigorous  and  gentlemanly  administration,  there  has  been  a  constant  improvement  in  the 
ability  and  character  of  its  contents.  Its  short  editorials  are  often  admirable.  Success  to  all  its 
endeavors  to  be  a  true  teacher  of  its  wide  constituency ! 


From  the  Boston  Pilot. 

The  handsome  new  Herald  building  was  the  centre  of  attraction  Saturday,  and  thousands 
thronged  its  portals,  wandered  through  the  apartments  to  which  the  public  were  admitted,  or  took  the 
exterior  efl!'ects  from  the  sidewalk.  The  proprietors  generously  indulged  this  tendency  to  wonder  and 
admire,  and  they  start  out  under  their  new  conditions  with  the  prestige  of  profound  popular  respect  for 
their  enterprise  and  successful  achievement.  The  " Pilot"  congratulates  the  Herald  upon  a  success  so 
ably  earned  and  well  deserved,  and  advances  the  sincere  wish  that  its  future  prosperity  may  be  even  far 
in  excess  of  that  which  it  already  enjoys. 


From  the  Boston  Sunday  Express. 

The  rush  yesterday  to  see  the  new  establishment  of  our  neighbor,  the  Herald,  which  was  opened 
for  the  first  time,  Avas  multitudinous.    Everybody  praised  it,  and  everybody  did  the  just  and  true  thing. 


From  the  Boston  Ray. 
The  new  Herald  building  is  one  of  the  handsomest  architectural  structures  in  Bo«!ton,  and  the 
Herald  is  one  of  the  best  newspapers  in  America.    The  proprietors  have  so  worthily  won  their  success 
that  honest  and  hearty  congratulations  are  tendered  them  by  all  classes.    Long  may  they  wave ! 


History  of  the  Herald. 


From  the  Boston  Sunday  Times. 

The  HeraI/D  has  now,  without  exception,  the  finest  newspaper  office  in  the  world,  certainly  in 
.  respect  to  its  appointments  and  its  patent  arrangements  for  facilitating  work.  Electric  wires,  enuncia- 
tors,  speaking-tuhes,  fire-escapes,  wash-rooms,  pier-glasses,  nickel-plated  clocks,  telephones,  letter-hoxes, 
pigeon-holes,  easy-chairs,  elevators,  side-boards,  inkstands  in  all  shapes,  ink  in  all  colors,  flat  pens, 
broad  pens,  fountain  pens,  Mackinnon  pens,  high  desks,  low  desks,  broad  desks,  narrow  desks;  in  fact 
all  that  is  calculated  to  delight  the  heart  of  the  newspaper  man  has  been  provided.  The  only  thing  at 
present  missing  from  the  establishment,  which  is  needed  to  make  the  office  perfect,  is  the  festive  and 
paste-loving  cockroach ;  but  he  will  be  added  in  time.  We  understand  that,  as  soon  as  he  has  succeeded 
in  removing  a  couple  of  hogsheads  of  mucilage  from  the  old  building,  he  will  take  up  his  quarters  in  the 
new.  We  would  like  to  devote  a  larg-e  portion  of  our  space  to  describing  the  new  building,  but  our 
daily  contemporaries  have  already  done  that  for  us,  and  the  public  is,  or  ought  to  be,  tolerably  well 
acquainted  with  the  fact  that  there  is  such  a  paper  in  existence  as  the  HERAiiD.  One  or  two  things, 
however,  we  should  mention.  The  managing  editor's  room  is  a  marvel.  All  that  Mr.  Holmes  has  now 
to  do  is  to  think  out  an  editorial,  mutter  aloud  his  subdivision  of  the  subject  under  consideration,  and 
his  thoughts  are  at  once  carried  by  a  telephone  to  a  phonograph,  where  they  are  bottled  up,  regularly 
sized  and  paragraphed,  and  placed  in  their  proper  position  in  the  form.  As  soon  as  their  position  has 
been  taken,  an  electric  bell,  attached  to  a  clock,  strikes,  to  announce  their  safe  arrival  in  their  proper 
place,  and  the  time  occupied  in  their  transmission  is  registered  by  an  automatic  register.  By  far  the 
most  wonderful  room  in  the  building  is  that  occupied  by  the  dramatic  editor,  Mr.  Perry.  It  is  connected 
with  all  the  theatres  by  telegraph,  telephone,  and  phonograph,  and  several  of  the  new  far-sighted  instru- 
ments, which  have  not  yet  been  named,  have  been  inserted,  so  as  to  give  a  clear  view  of  all  the  stages  in 
the  city.  At  night  Mr.  Perry  can  here  sit  and  witness  all  the  performances  at  all  the  theatres  at  the 
£ame  time,  and  thus  solve  the  difficulties  of  the  **  bad  Monday  nights."  As  the  performances  proceed, 
he  has  but  to  speak  aloud  his  thoughts,  and,  as  in  the  case  of  the  managing  editor,  they  are  at  once 
placed  in  the  form,  ready  for  the  press.  By  a  very  ingenious  contrivance,  Mr.  Perry  has  but  to  press  a 
knob  on  his  right,  at  the  conclusion  of  each  act,  and  a  silver  salver,  automatic  in  action,  moves  towards 
him  with  a  very  fair  variety  of  Clarke's  best,  accompanied  with  a  gold-lined  thimble  containing  coff"ee. 
No  one  but  a  dramatic  critic  can  appreciate  the  value  of  these  arrangements.  Throughout  the  building 
the  same  general  excellence  of  appointment  is  discernible.  We  congratulate  the  Herald  heartily  upon 
the  success  which  has  enabled  it  to  erect  such  a  magnificent  edifice,  and  we  hope  its  success  may  be  long 
continued.  Business  enterprise,  hard  work,  and  careful  management,  deserve  reward,  and  it  is  pleasant 
to  see  these  things  appreciated  as  the  public  has  appreciated  them  in  the  HERAiiD. 


Boston  Correspondent  of  Hingham  Journal. 

The  latest  local  sensation  is  the  new  and  elegant  establishment  of  The  Boston  Herald,  which  for 
a  week  past  has  attracted  crowds  in  its  vicinity  throughout  day  and  evening.  So  many  exhaustive 
descriptions  of  the  new  printing-palace  have  been  given  that  it  will  suffice  to  say  here  that  it  is  ahead  of 
anything  yet  constructed  for  a  newspaper  establishment.  The  interesting  history  of  this  successful 
paper,  from  its  lowly  birth  in  August,  1846,  to  the  present  time,  appeared  in  Saturday's  edition  of  the 
Herald,  and  gave  its  multitude  of  readers  a  well-written  account  of  its  vicissitudes  and  ultimate  tri- 
umphs. To  one  person,  at  least,  who  inspected  the  magnificent  premises,  the  present  marvellous  pros- 
perity of  the  Herald  suggested  thoughts  of  its  early  struggles  for  existence,  when  the  poorly-paid  and 
hard-worked  toilers  at  its  start  laboriously  builded  its  foundations  amidst  discouragements  difficult  to 
realize  at  the  present  day.  Of  the  energetic  and  hopeful  young  men  then  forming  the  publishing  and 
working  force  of  the  EteRALD  but  few  remain.    The  original  publisher  still  lives ;  the  first  and  second 


82  History  of  the  Herald. 

editors  are  yet  permitted  to  perambulate  God's  footstool,  and  three  of  its  compositors  are  still  quite  equal 
to  the  average  type  of  mortals;  but  the  larger  number  of  those  once  active  forms  are  •'  locked  up  "  in  the 
embrace  of  mother  earth.  Mr.  C.  H.  Andrews,  the  present  managing-editor,  who  has  been  connected 
with  the  Herald  longer  than  any  other  member  of  its  corps  editorial,  is  always  at  his  post.  Mr.  E.  B. 
Haskell,  editor-in-chief,  is  luxuriating  in  Europe,  and  the  indefatigable  Pulsifer  appears  to  be  omnipresent 
in  the  business  department.    Success  to  the  wide-awake  Herald  I 


From  the  Salem  (Mass.)  Gazette. 

The  Boston  Herald,  of  Saturday,  improved  the  occasion  of  entering  upon  the  occupancy  of  its 
splendid  new  building,  to  present,  in  a  double  number,  a  history  of  its  magnificent  progress  and  success. 
From  its  humble  beginning,  in  1846,  to  its  present  leading  position,  the  advance  has  certainly  been  sur- 
prising; and  we  take  pleasure  in  expressing  our  opinion  that  its  success  is  well  merited.  The  industry 
and  enterprise  which  have  been  its  leading  characteristics  have  been  very  great;  and  its  editorial  influ- 
ence, as  now  managed,  may  safely  be  relied  upon,  in  general,  as  in  favor  of  all  the  best  interests  of  the 
community. 


From  the  Salem,  (Mass.)  Register. 

The  Boston  Herald  has  moved  into  its  new  model-office  building,  a  fine  picture  of  which  appeared 
in  its  issue  of  Saturday,  accompanied  by  a  brief  history  of  the  paper,  —  a  record  to  which  it  may  refer 
with  justifiable  pride.  "We  congratulate  our  friends  on  their  enterprise,  and  hope  their  splendid  quarters 
will  be  the  scene  of  great  prosperity  and  usefulness,  and  that  the  Herald  will  grow  brighter  and  brighter 
as  the  years  roll  around. 


Froin  the  Waltham  (Mass.)  Free  Press. 
The  Boston  Herald  has  taken  possession  of  its  new  quarters.  The  six-story  building  erected  for 
its  accommodation  on  Washington  street  has  probably  no  superior  for  the  purpose  designed  in  this  coun- 
try, and  the  lavish  expenditure  for  comfort  and  convenience  and  to  gratify  a  correct  taste  is  warranted  by 
the  prosperity  attending  the  business  -enterprise  of  the  publishers.  The  Herald  has  been  greatly  im- 
proved under  the  business  management  of  Mr.  Pulsifer  and  his  associates,  and  doubtless  has  attained  to 
that  degree  of  independence  that  listens  to  the  direction,  "  Stop  my  paper!  "  with  as  little  disturbance  as 
the  earth  feels  at  the  jumping  of  a  fly. 


From  the  Gardner  (Mass.)  News. 
The  Boston  Herald  is  another  of  the  enterprising  daily  journals  which  has  recently  taken  up  its 
abode  in  a  new  and  elegant  building  of  its  own,  and  it  appropriately  celebrated  the  occasion  by  publish- 
ing a  lengthy  history  of  itself,  which  is  an  interesting  narrative  of  a  wonderfully  prosperous  paper. 
The  Herald  is  a  newspaper  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  with  unbounded  enterprise;  while  editorially  it 
is  both  sharp  and  able,  and  its  comments  have  a  true,  independent  ring  to  them.  It  contains  so  much  of 
interest  within  its  closely  printed  columns  that  it  is  hardly  surprising  that  it  enjoys  such  an  extensive  cir- 
culation throughout  New  England. 


History  of  the  Herald,  83 


From  the  Winchendon  (Mass.)  Journal. 

On  the  occasion  of  occupying  their  new  building,  last  Saturday,  the  publishers  of  The  Boston 
Herald,  issued  an  eight-page  paper,  containing  a  cut  of  the  new  building,  and  a  full  and  comprehensive 
history  of  the  Herald  from  its  earliest  inception  to  date.  The  article  is  very  interesting  and  readable, 
and  the  publishers  are  to  be  complimented  upon  the  position  now  occupied  after  so  many  years  of 
labor. 


From  the  Adams  (Mass.)  Transcript. 

The  Boston  Herald  has  just  moved  into  a  new  and  splendid  office  on  Washington  street,  and 
starts  afresh  on  a  career  of  remarkable  success.  The  Herald  is  conducted  with  rare  business  energy 
and  judgment,  and  as  rare  newspaper  sense  and  talent.  It  is  a  live  paper,  fearless,  brilliant,  and  able, 
and  deserves  the  wonderful  prosperity  it  enjoys. 


From  the  Franklin  (Mass.)  Register. 
The  proprietors  of  The  Boston  Herald  have  erected  an  elegant  building  for  their  use,  and  have 
moved  the  Herald  establishment  into  it.    The  new  quarters,  with  all  their  brightness,  cannot  make  the 
Herald  a  brighter,  better  paper  than  it  has  been  for  many  years. 


From  the  Lowell  (3fass.)  Courier. 

The  Boston  Herald  this  morning  comes  from  its  new  and  palatial  quarters  on  "Washington  street, 
instead  of  from  the  dark,  uncanny  precincts  of  "Williams  court.  As  a  journalistic  success  it  is  unequalled 
in  this  country,  even  by  the  greatest  of  the  New  York  dailies.  It  owes  its  good  fortune  to  the  hard  work, 
energy,  genius,  and  skill  of  R.  M.  Pulsifer,  Edwin  B.  Haskell,  and  Charles  H.  Andrews.  It  has  been  said 
of  G-reeley  and  McElrath,  who  first  made  the  "  New  York  Tribune  "  a  power,  that  the  two  together  made 
a  perfect  journalistic  combination.  The  same  might  be  said  of  the  three  gentlemen  above  named.  The 
journalist  is  born,  not  made,  and  the  Herald  trio  are  born  to  the  newspaper  business.  They  are  good 
boys,  all  of  them,  so  good  that  everybody  who  knows  them  can  praise  them  without  flattery,  and  consider 
their  prosperity  without  envy. 


From  the  Lowell  (Mass.)  News. 

The  Boston  Herald  comes  out  this  morning  with  a  double  sheet,  the  first  page  of  which  is  adorned 
with  a  handsome  picture  of  the  new  Herald  building,  "the  model  newspaper  office  of  the  country,"  and 
devotes  some  twenty-six  columns  to  telling  the  public  about  itself  and  its  new  quarters,  and  then  don't 
tell  more  than  half  that  might  well  be  said.  The  Herald  has  earned  its  position  by  hard  work,  and  its 
large  circulation  at  present  is  full  proof  of  its  popularity.  May  it  succeed  every  time  it  is  right,  and  its 
editors  themselves  would  not  wish  to  succeed  otherwise.  It  is  only  fair  to  say,  however,  that  it  is  right 
so  large  a  part  of  the  time  that  the  good  wishes  of  its  friends  need  very  little,  if  any,  qualification. 


From,  the  Lawrence  (Mass.)  American. 

The  Boston  Herald  fittingly  observes  its  removal  to  the  elegant  new  building  just  completed  for 
its  occupancy  with  an  elaborate  sketch  of  its  history.  The  Herald  has  a  right  to  be  exultant  over  its 
growth  during  tlie  thirty  years  of  its  existence,  and  in  all  fairness  its  prosperity  has  been  well  won  and 


84  History  of  the  Herald. 

amply  deserved.  It  is  one  of  the  brightest  and  best  newspapers  in  the  world;  in  news-gathering  second 
to  none,  and  as  evenly  and  honestly  independent  as  the  frailties  of  humanity  will  permit.  "We  are  right 
glad  of  its  success. 

Among  the  notable  incidents  recorded  as  causing  large  editions  of  The  Boston  Herald  was  the 
fall  of  the  Pemberton  Mills,  in  this  city,  when  the  edition  went  up  to  seventy-five  thousand  copies,  double 
its  usual  number  in  1860.  The  circulation  is  now  more  than  one  hundred  thousand  copies  daily.  In  Law- 
rence one  thousand  five  hundred  Heralds  are  taken  each  day. 


From  the  Springfield  (Mass.)  Republican. 

The  Boston  Herald  has  moved  into  its  new  and  elegant  building,  and  celebrates  the  occasion 
with  a  review  of  its  history.  It  is  the  record  of  a  remarkable  journalistic  achievement,  based  on  the  only 
solid  foundation  of  success,  —  the  maintenance  of  a  purpose,  dating  back  to  its  establishment  thirty  years 
ago,  to  be  "  a  journal  which  shall  be  truly  independent." 


From  the  Worcester  (3faiis.)  Gazette. 

The  Boston  Herald  prints  a  quadruple  sheet  this  morning,  describing  its  new  palatial  quarters. 
Life  is  too  short  to  read  it  all,  but  we  have  no  doubt  they  are  all  that  heart  could  wish.  The  Herald  is 
an  excellent  newspaper,  thoroughly  independent,  and  very  apt  to  be  on  the  right  side  of  every  question. 


From  the  Taunton  (Mass.)  Gazette. 
The  Boston  Herald  people  have  moved  into  their  new  building  on  "Washington  street.    The 
magnificent  structure,  of  which  a  front  view  was  given  in  Saturday's  Herald,  has  been  fitted  up  with 
every  convenience  for  the  large  business  carried  on  within  its  walls,  and  is  the  result  of  independent, 
progressive  journalism,  of  which  the  proprietors  may  well  be  proud. 


From  the  Portland  (Me.)  Press. 

The  Boston  Herald  is  very  proud  of  its  new  building,  as  it  ought  to  be,  for  it  is  very  handsomely 
housed.  But  a  matter  of  greater  pride  should  be  its  wonderful  success,  — a  success  fairly  earned  by  hon- 
esty and  enterprise  and  brains.  From  small  beginnings  it  has  come  to  be  one  of  the  most  powerful  and 
influential  journals  in  the  country,  and  is  recognized  as  an  organ  of  opinion  as  well  as  the  newsiest  of 
newspapers. 


From  the  Portland  (Me.)  Argus. 

The  Boston  Herald  of  Saturday  was  issued  from  its  new  and  magnificent  building  erected  on  the 
site  of  their  old  one.  The  Herald  is  one  of  the  liveliest  papers  published,  and  its  proprietors  are  to  be 
congratulated  on  the  productive  plant  they  have  got.  In  1858  the  Herald  circulated  four 'hundred  and 
forty  five  papers  in  this  city  daily. 


Histoty  of  the  Herald.  85 


Boston  Correspondent  Portland  (Me.)  Argots, 

The  Boston  Herald  on  Sunday  was  moved  into  its  new  and  elegant  building  on  Washington 
street,  just  south  of  the  one  heretofore  occupied  by  the  establishment.  The  new  building  is  the  most 
complete  newspaper  establishment  in  the  country.  The  Herald  building  fronts  on  Washington  street, 
the  counting-room  and  business  department  occupying  the  entire  first  floor.  The  main  part  of  the 
establishment  is  located  in  the  rear  of  the  front  building  extending  to  Williams  court,  from  which  entrance 
is  made  to  the  press-room  in  the  basement,  delivery-room  on  the  first  floor,  editorial-room  on  the  second 
floor,  reportorial-room  on  the  third  floor,  and  composing-rooms  on  the  floor  above.  The  basement  con- 
tains the  engines  and  the  immense  Bullock  presses,  and  also  the  stereotyping-rooras.  The  business 
manager,  Mr.  R.  M.  Pulsifer,  has  his  rooms  in  the  front  ofiice.  The  general  manager  of  the  paper,  Mr. 
Charles  H.  Andrews,  has  his  room  on  the  same  floor  with  the  news  and  reportorial  corps.  Next  to  Mr. 
Andrews  comes  the  copy-room,  where  the  two  day  and  three  night  copy  editors  have  their  deslis.  It  is 
the  duty  of  these  men  to  read  all  copy  which  goes  to  the  composing-room,  save  the  editorial  articles. 
There  is  one  man  for  "  local "  copy  and  one  for  "  telegraph  "  copy.  At  night  there  is  a  third  for  general 
supervision.  Then  comes  the  room  of  the  city  editor,  Mr,  C.  B.  Danforth,  one  of  the  ablest  city  editors 
in  Boston.  Then  in  succession  on  this  floor  are  the  rooms  of  the  city  reporters,  some,  two  in  a  room,  and 
some,  one  in  a  room.  In  a  large  room  on  the  same  floor,  the  large  corps  of  suburban  reporters  are 
located.  There  are  ten  of  them.  They  come  from  the  territories  of  Cambridge,  old  Charlestown, 
Somerville,  Chelsea,  Lynn,  Salem,  Newton,  Maiden,  Dedham,  "  South  Shore,"  Boston  Highlands,  and 
South  Boston.  Each  man  attends  to  the  several  smaller  towns  in  his  vicinity,  so  that  the  territory  for 
twenty-five  miles  on  either  side  of  Boston  is  as  thoroughly  *'  covered  "  as  the  city  itself.  On  the  second 
floor  we  flrst  find  the  room  of  the  principal  editor,  Mr.  E.  B.  Haskell.  So  far  as  I  am  aware,  this  is  a  new 
title  in  journalism.  The  position  itself  is  somewhat  peculiar.  Mr.  Haskell  manages  the  editorial  opinion 
of  the  paper,  and  is  one  of  the  principal  editorial  writers  when  at  home.  He  is  now  travelling  in  Europe. 
Next  to  him  is  the  managing  editor,  Mr.  John  H.  Holmes.  Mr.  Holmes  has  general  supervision  of  the 
paper  in  detail,  originating  many  features  and  putting  into  eff'ect  those  of  the  general  manager,  Mr. 
Andrews.  It  is  his  duty  also  to  examine  correspondence,  foreign  and  domestic,  and  special  articles  pre- 
pared for  the  paper,  and,  in  the  absence  of  the  principal  editor,  to  look  after  the  editorial  articles  by  the 
several  writers.  The  other  departments  of  the  paper  are  much  like  those  of  other  great  daily  papers. 
There  are  three  or  four  editorial  writers,  each  in  his  special  field.  For  instance,  the  financial  articles  of 
the  Herald,  among  the  ablest  in  the  country,  are  by  an  experienced  business  man  and  financier;  the 
foreign  editorials  are  written  by  a  man  of  experience  abroad;  the  labor  articles  by  an  editor  who  devotes 
his  time  to  an  investigation  of  each  important  case;  the  "Men  and  Things"  mainly  by  Mr,  C.  C. 
CouUiard  (formerly  of  Portland),  though  any  member  of  the  staff  who  thinks  he  has  a  "good  thing"  can 
contribute  to  it,  provided  it  is  acceptable.  Then  there  are  "musical,"  "dramatic,"  "sporting," 
"  exchange,"  and  various  other  editors,  who  make  up  the  staff.  Singular  though  it  may  appear,  the 
Herald,  the  smallest  paper  in  Boston,  has  the  largest  corps  of  writers,  having  double  the  editorial, 
reportorial,  and  correspondence  corps  of  any  other  Boston  paper.  The  editorial  corps  numbers  some 
fifteen,  and  the  reportorial  between  twenty-five  and  thirty.  By  the  above  it  will  readily  be  seen  that  a 
great  newspaper  is  an  extensive  concern,  and,  furthermore,  that  its  views  on  various  questions  are  not  the 
views  of  one  individual,  nor  of  a  theorist;  but  rather  those  of  different  men,  engaged  for  their  experience 
and  information  concerning  the  topics  which  thej'  disouss.  ^ 


From  the  Belfast  (Me.)  Journal. 

The  Boston  Daily  Herald  was  on  Saturday  issued  from  its  elegant  new  oflSce,  No.  255  Wash- 
ington street.  It  now  occupies  a  granite  and  iron  front  building,  of  six  stories  above  the  street,  of 
remarkable  attractive  architecture,  furnished  with  the  most  improved  machinery  and  every  appliance 


86  History  of  the  Herald. 

which  skill  and  science  can  suggest  for  carrying  on  the  large  and  lucrative  business  -which  the  enter- 
prising proprietors  have  huilt  up.  The  Herald  upon  the  occasion  publishes  its  autobiography,  refers 
to  the  successive  steps  by  which,  from  small  beginnings,  in  1844,  its  immense  business  has  arisen.  The 
proprietors  deserve  all  the  success  which  the  occasion  commemorates ;  and  we  are  sure  none  will  feel 
more  gratification  than  the  brotherhood  of  the  pen  and  press,  in  city  and  country. 


From  the  Brunswick  (Me.)  Telegraph. 

The  Boston  Herald,  Saturday  morning,  formally  took  possession  of  its  new  building,  255  Wash- 
ington street.  The  building  is  six  stories,  thirty-two  feet  front,  one  hundred  and  seventy-nine  feet 
deep.  Its  appointments  in  every  department  are  elegant  and  complete.  The  cut  of  the  building  pub- 
lished in  Saturday's  Herald  shows  it  to  be  one  of  the  most  striking  of  the  many  handsome  structures 
recently  erected  in  Boston.    The  paper  well  merits  the  great  success  which  it  has  won. 


From  the  Waterville  (Me.)  Mail. 

The  very  marked  success  of  The  Boston  Herald  is  a  matter  of  general  comment  in  newspaper- 
-dom.  It  has  come  to  be  one  of  the  leading  as  well  as  one  of  the  ablest  of  the  New  England  papers.  No 
other  excels  it  in  its  news  department;  and  its  influence  has  a  firm  foundation  in  its  well-known  indepen- 
dence and  integrity. 


From  the  Manchester  (N.II.)  Mirror. 

The  new  building  on  Washington  street,  erected  last  summer  for  the  accommodation  of  The  Boston 
Herald,  was  thrown  open  to  public  inspection  last  week.  It  is  an  elegant  structure,  built  after  the 
most  approved  plans,  furnished  with  every  convenience,  and  is  in  every  respect  worthy  of  the  livest  and 
most  successful  newspaper  in  New  England.  With  an  engraving  and  description  of  its  new  home,  the 
Herald  prints  a  detailed  history  of  th,e  paper  from  its  very  small  beginnings  to  the  present  time.  We 
have  not  space  for  even  an  abstract  of  this  story,  but  we  cannot  forbear  a  word  in  regard  to  the  Herald 
of  to-day.  The  present  proprietors  are:  E.  B.  Haskell,  the  managing  editor;  R.  M.  Pulsifer,  the 
business  manager;  and  Charles  H.  Andrews,  the  head  of  the  local  department, — three  men  who  cannot 
easily  be  matched  in  any  newspaper  olfice  in  the  couptry.  They  are  born  journalists,  who  know,  as  by 
instinct,  what  is  required  to  make  a  complete  newspaper,  who  have  a  marvellous  faculty  of  crowding 
much  into  a  little  space,  and  who  have  an  enterprise  and  a  courage  which  are  never  beaten.  They  have 
also  shown  wonderful  tact  in  selecting  their  assistants,  and  have  under  their  control  as  efficient  a  staff  as 
even  they  can  desire.  Asa  result,  their  paper  has  an  immense  circulation,  and  makes  a  handsome  return 
for  all  the  money  which  they  lavish  upon  it.  At  times  when  nearly  all  other  publishers  have  lost  money 
they  have  flourished,  and  the  new  Herald  building  is  one  of  the  outcomes  of  their  prosperity.  As  a 
rule  we  have  little  respect  for  the  editorial  utterances  of  "independent"  newspapers,  for  they  are 
generally  merely  the  growls  of  sore-heads,  or  the  pratings  of  egotists;  but  the  Herald  can  afford  to  and 
does  take  broad  views  of  things,  and  is  seldom  narrow-minded  or  pig-headed.  Its  reputation  rests 
mainly  on  its  eminent  success  as  a  news-gatherer;  but  its  influence  is  generally  for  good,  and  often  very 
strong.    We  congratulate  it  on  its  success. 


History  of  the  Herald.  87 


From  the  Concord  (N.  H.)  Monitor. 

The  Boston  Herald  was  issued  for  the  first  time  on  Saturday  from  its  palatial  building,  just  com- 
pleted, and  located  on  "Washington  street,  a  few  doors  south  of  the  old  counting-room.  Judging  from 
the  illustration  and  the  description  of  the  edifice  contained  in  the  Herald  of  that  date,  it  is  the  most 
elegant,  spacious,  and  convenient  newspaper  office  in  this  country.  The  success  of  the  Herald  since  it 
came  under  the  exclusive  control  of  its  present  owners,  Messrs.  R.  M.  Pulsifer,  E.  B.  Haskell,  and 
Charles  H.  Andrews,  has  been  marvellous.  These  gentlemen,  together  with  Justin  Andrews,  an  elder 
brother  of  Charles  H.,  had,  while  only  partial  owners,  —  the  controlling  interest  being  held  by  E.  C.  Bailey, 
Esq.,  now  of  the  "Patriot,"  —  given  the  Herald  a  new  character  for  enterprise  and  ability,  and  their  long 
journalistic  experience  was  invaluable  to  one  not  himself  to  the  manner  born.  Justin  Andrews,  who  has 
retired  from  the  firm  to  enjoy  a  competency,  is  one  of  the  best  journalists  in  An^erica,  and  to  him  more 
than  to  any  one  man  is  the  Herai^d  indebted  for  its  growth  in  popularity  and  influence  at  a  time  when 
the  rivalry  was  much  sharper  than  now;  for  the  Herald  has  not,  to-day,  a  single  rival  in  its  peculiar 
field.  Mr.  Pulsifer,  as  a  business  manager,  has  no  superior  in  the  guild.  Mr.  Haskell  is  equally  saga- 
cious as  chief  manager  and  director  of  the  editorial  columns,  both  in  marking  out  the  line  of  policy  to  be 
pursued  and  in  keeping  to  that  line.  Mr.  Andrews  is  equally  strong  in  overlooking  city  matters;  and  the 
three  constitute  a  journalistic  trio  hard  to  be  excelled.  They  have  been  fortunate  in  their  respective 
staffs  also.  Napoleon  knew  a  good  general  when  he  saw  him,  even  in  the  person  of  a  raw  recruit. 
Messrs.  Haskell  and  Andrews  know  a  born  journalist  —  and  journalists,  like  poets,  are  born  not  made  — 
when  they  see  him,  no  matter  whether  he  matriculates  from  a  world-renowned  university  or  some 
obscure  newspaper  establishment.  Hence  their  assistants  in  all  the  branches  of  the  journalistic  art  are 
men  especially  fitted  for  their  respective  stations.  The  same  remark  holds  true  of  the  counting-room. 
The  employes  there  are  men  who  have  been  tried  and  not  found  wanting.  In  short,  the  personnel  of  the 
Herald  establishment,  from  the  chiefs  down,  are  gentlemen  whom  to  know  is  to  respect,  and  we  rejoice 
in  their  prosperity. 


From  the  Nashua  (N.H.)  Telegraph. 

The  Boston  Herald  was  issued  from  a  new  building,  an  elegant  and  substantial  structure,  on 
Saturday.  The  Herald  is  one  of  the  most  enterprising  and  successful  newspapers  in  the  countrj-,  and 
under  its  present  management  it  exerts  a  powerful  influence,  usually  on  the  right  side  of  most  questions. 
The  history  of  this  newspaper,  as  given  in  its  own  columns  on  taking  up  its  abode  in  its  new  quarters,  is 
an  interesting  and  important  chapter  in  American  journalism. 


From,  the  Portsmouth  (N.H.)  Chronicle. 

The  new  Herald  building,  on  Washington  street,  Boston,  is  completed,  and  is  not  only  a  fine 
building,  but  one  of  the  best  newspaper  ofiices  in  the  country.  The  entire  building,  which  is  one  hun- 
dred feet  high  and  contains  six  stories  and  a  basement,  is  taken  up  by  the  Herald  establishment. 


From  the  Providence  (R.I.)  Journal. 

The  Boston  Herald  has  entered  into  the  occupation  of  a  new,  spacious,  admirably  arranged,  and 
elegant  building.  It  is  justified  in  its  enterprise.  The  history  of  the  Herald  is  an  interesting  and 
Instructive  one ;  it  has  grown  to  its  present  stature,  and  that  by  long  years  of  hard  and  useful  work.  Its 
success  is,  therefore,  a  legitimate,  and  is  likely  to  be  a  permanent  one.    The  accessories  of  the  Herald 


88  History  of  the  Herald. 

establishment  ai*e  complete  and  luxurious,  but  tbey  are  the  outcome  of  a  business  demand.  The  ques- 
tion is  not  whether  the  Herald  needs,  or  is  likely  to  need,  its  habitation,  but  how  long  will  its  present 
facilities  suffice  for  its  wants.  As  a  newspaper,  the  Herald  has  a  field  and  a  reputation  of  its  own ;  it 
i  s  most  ably  conducted,  not  only  in  a  commercial  sense,'  but  also  in  its  editorial  departments.  Indepen- 
dent in  politics,  with  very  perceptible  leanings,  its  articles,  in  times  of  public  agitation,  are  terse,  sharp, 
and  always  perfectly  to  the  point.  While  its  articles  are  usually  brief,  they  reach  the  mark.  In  these 
days,  when  so  many  newspapers  live  "  at  a  poor  dying  rate,"  we  congratulate  our  neighbor  upon  a 
degree  of  prosperity  as  broad  and  deep  as  it  is  substantial.  Continuing  the  energy  and  ability  it  has  so 
long  displayed,  it  will  secure  and  deserve  an  increase  of  its  present  profit  and  influence. 


From  the  Providence  (R.I.)  Press. 
The  Boston  Herald  moves  into  its  new  and  handsome  building  on  "Washington  street  to-day 
The  Herald  is  one  of  the  most  enterprising  and  successful  newspapers  in  the  country.  It  was  started 
on  the  31st  of  August,  1846,  with  one  editor  and  two  local  reporters.  _  Now  it  has  two  hundred  men  on 
its  pay-roll,  all  of  whom  are  within  the  building,  while  the  correspondents  and  outside  men  are  fully 
equal  in  number  to  the  regular  force. 


From  the  Newport  (R.I.)  News. 

The  Boston  Herald  comes  to  us  tnis  morning  as  a  mammoth  sheet,  being  the  first  number  issued 
from  their  new  building.  It  contains  a  history  of  the  paper,  a  description  of  the  new  quarters,  with  a 
picture  of  the  building,  and  as  usual  is  crowded  full  of  news.    Long  live  the  Herald  ! 


Boston  Correspondent  Providence  (R.I.)  Press. 

The  Herald  recently  removed  to  its  new  and  elegant  building,  a  few  doors  south  of  its  old  location. 
It  has  unquestionably  the  best  arranged,  and  probably  the  most  elegantly  appointed,  newspaper  office  in 
America.  This  results  from  a  practical  knowledge,  on  the  part  of  those  who  contrived  the  structure,  of 
the  uses  to  which  it  is  to  be  put.  It  does  not  always  happen  that  newspaper  offices  are  built  by  those 
who  are  to  work  in  them.  In  the  case  of  the  Herald  it  is  different,  for  the  present  owners  and 
managers  of  the  paper  are  practical  journalists,  and  to  their  efforts  chiefly  the  enormous  growth  and 
success  of  the  newspaper  are  attributed.  The  Herald  laid  the  foundation  of  its  greatness  many  years 
ago  by  giving  the  public  a  good  newspaper;  and,  in  this  particular,  the  now  prosperous  proprietors,  who 
were  then  underlings,  succeeded,  with  their  associates,  in  placing  it  on  the  high  wave  of  success  in  spite 
of  a  bad  helmsman.  In  other  words,  bad  management  was  thwarted  by  good  work.  Those  who  have 
been  conversant  with  the  inner  history  of  the  Herald  —  a  paper  which  affords  a  most  remarkable 
illustration  of  enterprise  and  rapid  growth  —  will  look  with  gratification  upon  the  new  evidence  of  pros- 
perity on  the  part  of  its  young  and  energetic  proprietors.  May  they  long  continue  to  enjoy  their  well- 
earned  fortunes ! 


Boston  Correspondent  Hartford  (Conn.)  Courant. 

The  Herald  has  established  a  position  in  Boston  that  almost  any  journal  in  the  land  might  envy. 
It  circulates  a  hundred  thousand  and  over  a  day,  and  is  read  by  many  thousand  more  than  this  number. 
It  has  the  credit,  on  all  hands,  of  using  the  very  great  influence  that  this  implies  for  good  principles  and 
ends.    We  are  having  substantial  proof  of  its  prosperity  just  now  in  the  opening  of  its  new  building  to 


History  of  the  Herald.  '  89 

the  public.  Many  thousands  of  people  have  visited  this,  and  admired  its  arrangements.  It  is  by  far  the 
most  elegant,  elaborate,  and  thoroughly  appointed  newspaper  establishment  ever  seen  in  Boston,  and  I 
doubt  if  it  is  equalled  in  completeness  and  convenience  in  the  -country.  The  people  read  this  paper,  and 
it  is  next  to  impossible  to  supplant  it  in  popularity  and  influence  with  them. 


From  the  Hartford  (Conn.)  Post. 

The  Boston  HERAiiO  printing  establishment  took  possession  of  new,  commodious,  and  elegant 
quarters,  on  Washington  street,  last  Saturday,  and  celebrated  the  occasion  by  issuing  a  double  sheet,  and 
giving  a  picture  of  the  new  home  of  the  paper  and  a  history  of  its  rise  and  the  struggles  through  which 
in  thirty  years  it  attained  its  present  eminence.  The  story  fills  three  and  a  quarter  pages,  or  twenty- 
six  columns,  in  small  type,  and  would,  in  the  ordinary  book  form,  make  quite  a  volume.  The  Herald 
has  the  largest  circulation,  and  is  probably  the  most  lucrative  paper  in  New  England.  Its  average  daily 
issue  last  year  was  one  hundred  and  two  thousand  nine  hundred  and  fifty-eight,  and  it  has  printed  in  a 
single  day  as  many  as  two  hundred  and  twenty-three  thousand  two  hundred  and  fifty-six  copies.  The 
circulation  of  the  large  Sunday  paper  has  been  carried  up  to  between  sixty  thousand  and  seventy 
thousand,  and  single  issues  have  been  made  as  high  as  eighty-se^en  thousand.  The  Herald  is,  first  of 
all,  a  newspaper.  It  reaches  out  all  over  the  country  by  its  special  correspondents,  and  across  the  ocean 
to  Europe,  and  spares  no  expense  to  obtain  the  latest  and  freshest  advices  of  every  event  of  public 
moment.  It  is  bright  and  cheerful  in  tone,  and  its  treatment  of  public  questions  and  public  men  is  as 
nearly  independent  as  a  newspaper  can  be.  There  is  always  to  be  discerned  in  its  remarks  upon 
political  topics  a  sincere  desire  to  do  the  right  thing  for  the  great  constituency  it  represents.  It  opposed 
the  election  of  President  Hayes ;  but  now  that  he  is  in  office,  it  gives  a  generous  support  to  his  good 
work,  and  lends  no  encouragement  to  the  malevolence  that  would  befoul  the  American  people  in  the 
person  of  their  President.  It  is  fitting  that  so  great  a  newspaper  should  be  housed  in  an  edifice  as  elegant 
as  can  be  made  of  marble,  and  iron,  and  the  choicest  woods,  and  so  long  as  it  continues  the  untiring 
purveyor  of  news,  and  the  fearless,  impartial  adviser  of  the  class  it  more  generally  reaches  than  any 
other  New  England  journal,  it  will  deserve  the  prosperity  it  has  attained. 


From  the  Hartford  (Conn.)  Conrant. 
The  Boston  Herald  celebrated  its  occupancy  of  its  fine  new  building  Saturday  by  publishing  a 
cut  of  the  building  and  an  interesting  three-page  account  of  the  Herald's  history  during  its  existence  of 
thirty-two  years.    The  article  gives  an  exceedingly  interesting  account  of  the  paper's  progress  from  its 
humble  beginning  to  its  present  enjoyment  of  the  largest  circulation  of  any  New  England  journal. 


From  the  Hartford  (Conn.)  Times. 
The  Boston  Herald  celebrates  its  removal  into  its  new  building  by  publishing  a  picture  of  the 
establishment  and  a  three-page  history  of  the  paper.    The  Herald  is  the  most  largely  circulated  and 
the  most  profitable  newspaper  in  New  England,  and  it  can  afl"ord  to  "  spread  itself"  just  once. 


From  the  Albany  (21.  Y.)  Press. 
It  seems  to  be  only  a  very  short  time  ago  that  The  Boston  Herald,  coming  into  the  possession  of 
Mr.  Bailey,  was  brought  into  notice  as  a  newspaper,  by  outstripping  its  cotemporaries,  which  were  never 
looked  upon  or  regarded  as  news  journals.    He  organized  a  force  of  young  journalists,  established  a 


90  •  History  of  the  Herald. 

skirmish  line  of  reporters,  and  sent  forth  scouts,  in  the  character  of  correspondents,  to  all  parts  of  the 
country,  especially  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion.  Shortly  after  the  close  of  the  rebellion  Mr.  Bailey 
retired  with  an  immense  fortune,  accumulated  in  a  few  years,  and  turned  the  establishment  over  to  those 
who  had  acted  in  the  capacity  of  subordinate  officers  to  him,  chief  of  whom  was  Mr.  Pulsifer,  who  now 
stands  at  the  head  of  the  new  firm.  We  were  led  into  these  reminiscences  by  learning  that  on  Saturday 
the  Herald  formally  took  possession  of  its  new  building,  No.  255  Washington  street,  a  few  doors  south 
of  its  old  location.  The  building  is  six  stories  high,  thirty-two  feet  front,  one  hundred  and  seventy-nine 
feet  deep,  with  an  L  twenty-four  by  forty-five  feet.  The  height  from  basement  to  roof  is  one  hundred 
and  thirteen  feet.  The  appointments  in  every  department  are  elegant  and  complete,  and  it  is  considered 
one  of  the  best-equipped  newspaper  offices  in  this  country. 


From  the  Batimore  (Md.)  Gazette. 

The  Boston  Herald  on  Saturday  last  formally  took  possession  of  its  new  building,  which,  judging 
by  a  cut  of  it  appearing  in  the  Herald  of  that  day,  is  a  fine,  imposing  structure.  In  honor  of  the  occasion 
it  devotes  considerable  space  to  a  sketch  of  itself.  It  achieved  its  largest  circulation  on  the  day  succeed- 
ing the  last  presidential  election,  when  it  issued  two  hundred  and  twenty-three  thousand  two  hundred 
and  fifty-six  copies.  Thoroughly  independent,  enterprising  and  reliable,  the  Herald  deserves  the  high 
rank  it  occupies  to-day  in  American  journalism. 


From  the  Philadelphia  Times. 

The  leading  newspaper  of  New  England,  and  one  of  the  ablest  and  most  enterprising  in  the  United 
States,  is  the  Boston  Herald,  which  signalizes  its  occupation  of  a  splendid  new  building  by  a  full  and 
interesting  history  of  the  ups  and  downs  in  its  life  of  thirty-two  years.  Long  a  journal  of  local  impor- 
tance it  has  within  the  last  ten -years  come  to  be  one  of  national  influence,  and  now  possesses  all  the  char- 
acteristics of  the  most  advanced  metropolitan  journalism.  The  story  of  its  life  would  surprise  many  who 
think  they  know  all  about  running  newspapers,  but  really  have  little  idea  of  the  magnitude  of  such  an  un- 
dertaking. The  Herald's  high  tide  in  circulation  was  reached  on  the  8th  of  November,  1876,  the  day 
after  the  Tilden-Hayes  election,  when  two  hundred  and  twenty-three  thousand  two  hundred  and  fifty-six 
copies  were  printed  and  sold.  On  that  day  over  fourteen  tons  of  paper  were  used,  a  quantity  that  would 
make  a  continuous  sheet  of  the  width  of  this  journal  and  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles  long.  The  average 
cost  of  composition,  in  1876,  was  one  thousand  six  hundred  dollars  weekly,  and  these  figures  are  maintained 
at  present.  Mr.  E.  B.  Haskell,  the  editor  of  the  Herald,  is  now  enjoying  a  year  abroad,  and  his  place  is 
ably  filled  by  the  managing  editor,  Mr.  John  H.  Holmes,  whose  brilliant  achievements  in  the  fine  of  his 
profession  have  placed  him  in  the  front  rank  of  American  journalists.  Politically  the  Herald  is  thor- 
oughly independent  and  plain-spoken,  and  this  is  one  secret  of  its  success. 


From  the  Philadelphia  City  Item. 
The  Boston  Herald  has  just  made  many  improvements  in  its  affairs.  .A  new  building,  four 
Bullock  presses,  and  other  important  matters,  show  remarkable  prosperity.  The  Herald  is  the  most 
successful  paper  in  New  England,  that  is  to  say,  it  is  the  largest  money-maker.  There  are  fourteen 
persons  employed  in  the  business  department,  eleven  in  the  stereotype  foundry,  sixteen  in  the  deliver- 
ing-room,  forty-four  in  the  editorial  and  news  department,  and  eighty-four  in  the  composition- room. 
The  pay-roll  is  between  three  thousand  five  hundred  and  four  thousand  dollars  per  week.  The 
whole  management  is  admirable.  There  are  three  partners  in  the  firm,  —  R.  M.  Pulsifer,  who  has  charge 
of  the  business;  E.  B.  Haskell,  the  leading  editor;  and  Mr.  C.H.  Andrews,  the  managing  editor.  Mr. 
John  J.  Holmes  has  direct  supervision  over  the  paper. 


History  of  the  Herald.  91 


From  the  Philadelphia  Press. 

The  Boston  Herald,  having  reached  thirty-two  years  of  age,  has  moved  into  a  magnificent  new 
building  on  Washington  street.  The  issue  of  Saturday  devotes  several  pages  of  space  to  a  history  of  the 
Herald,  and  a  description  of  the  new  head-quarters.  The  success  of  this  journal  has  been  won  by  bard 
struggles,  often  under  most  adverse  circumstances;  but  such  is  the  history  of  nearly  all  city  dailies,  and 
the  fact  that  a  paper  succeeds  is  in  itself  proof  that  its  success  is  well  deserved. 


From  the  Florida  Press. 

The  Boston  Herald  is  one  of  the  best  edited  and  managed  papers  in  New  England;  in  fact,  it  is 
the  leading  journal  in  that  section,  and  has  reqently  taken  possession  of  a  new  and  spacious  building, 
erected  for  its  use  in  Boston.  The  Herald  was  first  issued  in  1846,  and  has  steadily  inci'v.ased  in  circu- 
lation and  influence  up  to  the  present  time,  and  now  exceeds  in  circulation  the  combined  issues  of  all  the 
daily  papers  published  in  that  city.  The  Herald  has  a  national  reputation,  and  is  one  of  the  few  news- 
papers in  this  country  that  is  really  published  upon  the  basis  of  independentism,  liberality,  enterprise, 
and  integrity.    This  has  been  the  secret  of  its  success. 


Associated  Press  Despatch. 

Boston,  Feb.  10.  —  Yesterday  morning  The  Boston  Herald  was  published  for  the  first  time  in 
the  proprietors'  new  building,  on  "Washington  street.  Starting  on  the  31st  of  August,  1846,  as  an  evening 
edition  of  "  The  American  Eagle,"  with  one  editor  and  two  enterprising  "  locals,"  it  has  extended  its 
borders,  until  to-day  it  numbers  on  its  pay-roll  two  hundred  men,  all  of  whom  are  within  the  building. 
The  number  of  its  correspondents  outside  is  also  very  large.  The  main  building,  facing  on  Washington 
street,  has  a  frontage  of  thirty-one  feet  nine  inches,  and  a  width  in  the  rear  of  twenty-six  feet.  The  dis- 
tance from  the  street  front  to  the  rear  is  one  hundred  and  seventy-nine  feet.  An  L,  leading  into  Wil- 
liams court,  has  a  frontage  of  twenty-four  and  one-half  feet  on  the  court,  and  a  width  of  twenty-three 
feet  where  it  joins  the  main  building.  The  total  ground  surface  is  about  six  thousand  two  hundred 
square  feet.  This  entire  area  is  occupied  by  the  basement  of  the  building.  The  first  story  covers  the 
same  surface,  with  the  exception  of  three  areas,  the  main  one  being  fifteen  by  eighteen  feet  in  the  first 
story,  with  a  width  above  of  twenty-three  by  twenty-eight  and  one-half  feet,  separating  the  building 
into  substantially  two  buildings,  the  front  one  facing  upon  Washington  street,  above  the  counting-room, 
and  the  rear  takes  in  the  back  building  and  L,  which  will  be  occupied  by  the  several  editorial,  mechanical, 
and  other  departments  of  the  paper.  The  front  of  the  building  on  Washington  street  is  in  the  architectu- 
ral style  of  the  French  renaissance.  It  is  composed  of  six  floors,  or  stories,  above  the  street,  five  of 
which  are  fronted  with  Concord  granite,  with  the  introduction  of  polished  columns  of  red  Bay  of  Fundy, 
granite  on  the  second  and  third  stories;  polished  panels  of  the  same  material  in  the  window-caps  of  the 
third,  fourth,  and  sixth  stories,  and  oval  medallion  panels  in  the  pediment  caps  of  the  second,  third,  and 
sixth  story  windows.    The  business  ofllce  is  fitted  up  with  every  convenience. 

The  upper  portion  of  the  front  building  is  reached  through  a  small  vestibule,  the  walls  of  which  are 
lined  with  dove-colored  marble.  The  elevator  runs  from  the  first  to  the  upper  floor,  inside  a  fire-proof 
well  of  brick.  Each  of  the  upper  stories  is  laid  off  into  two  suites,  front  and  rear,  all  of  which  are  fin- 
ished in  oak.  Each  of  these  suites  is  furnished  with  a  dressing-room,  closets,  and  a  safe.  In  addition  to 
the  steam  heat,  each  of  the  suites  has  two  open  fireplaces.  All  the  upper  chambers  are  connected  with 
the  lower  hall-way  by  a  system  of  speaking-tubes  and  electric  call-bells.  The  building  in  the  rear  of  the 
one  fronting  on  Washington  street  and  the  one  fronting  on  Williams  court  are  united,  and  form  a  con- 


92  History  of  the  Herald. 

tinuous  building,  in  the  shape  of  an  L.  The  entrance  to  the  editorial  rooms  is  from  the  counting-room, 
and  from  the  Williams-court  section  also.  These  rooms  are  on  the  second  floor  of  the  rear  buildings 
and  are,  exclusive  of  the  library,  nine  in  number.  The  news  editors  and  reporters  occupy  the  floor 
above,  which  is  well  supplied  with  pneumatic  and  speaking  tubes,  electric  bells,  etc.  The  composing- 
room,  on  the  upper  floor,  has  a  floor  surface  of  room  two  thousand  seven  hundred  square  feet,  and  is 
high-studded,  well-lighted  and  well  ventilated.  The  press-rooms  are  in  the  basement,  while  the  mail 
ing  and  delivery  rooms  are  on  the  first  floor  of  the  rear  building. 


From  the  Vermont  Watchman  and  State  Journal. 

The  Boston  Herald  celebrated  its  occupancy  of  its  fine  new  building  Saturday  by  publisliing  a 
cut  of  the  building  and  an  interesting  three-page  account  of  the  OERAiiO's  history  during  its  existence  of 
thirty -two  years.  The  article  gives  an  exceedingly  interesting  account  of  the  paper's  progress  from  its 
humble  beginning  to  its  present  enjoyment  of  the  largest  circulation  of  any  Xew  England  journal. 


From  the  New  York  Graphic. 
"We  give  to-day  a  complete  presentment  of  the  features  which  have  made  the  recent  occupation  of  the 
new  premises  of  the  Boston  Herald  an  event  of  interest  worthy  of  the  local  attention  it  has  received, 
and  something  more  widely  notable,  for  the  more  general  reason  that  it  marks  very  strongly  the  growth 
of  newspaper  enterprise,  and  the  facilities  that  enterprising  newspaper  publication  has  called  into  its  ser- 
vice. There  are  reasons  that  will  appear  from  the  illustrations  we  give,  and  the  few  added  notes  that  are 
called  for,  that  abundantly  demonstrate  the  height  of  achievement  by  the  proprietors  of  the  Herald,  both 
in  creating  the  demand  for  their  present  facilities,  and  then  securing  them  by  a  combination  of  all  the  skill 
and  experience  that  in  multiform  fashion  combine  in  their  new  building.  Taking  these  first  in  order, 
there  is  in  the  building  an  answer  to  present  use.  Thej'  have  not  builded  as  a  venture  and  prospectively, 
that  lavish  outlay  may  be  among  their  means  of  securing  returns.  Newspaper  premises  before  now  have 
been  heaped  up  at  vast  expense,  as  like  adjuncts  have  been  sought  to  help  forward  various  corporate  and 
private  undertakings,- — buildings  for  the  future,  not  needed  now,  but  set  up  to  invite  a  future,  oftentimes 
in  these  days,  not  realized,  or  set  further  off"  by  unproductive  outlay.  It  is,  therefore,  the  notable  initial 
fact,  that  the  Boston  Herald  built  to  its  own  demand,  and  instantly  fills  its  magnificent  premises  with 
its  own  uses,  leaving  far  less  space  than^is  usual,  in  such  cases,  to  general  rental  purposes.  The  location 
is  in  the  very  business  heart  of  the  city. 


From  the  Ntw  York  Sun. 

We  extend  to  The  Boston  Herald  our  felicitations  on  its  entrance  into  the  new  building  which  it 
has  erected  in  Washington  street  of  that  city.  We  hope  it  finds  its  quarters  pleasant  and  adapted  to  its 
purposes,  and  that  it  will  be  able  to  rent  out  at  remunerative  prices  such  spare  space  in  its  handsome 
edifice  as  it  does  not  itself  require.  Our  Boston  contemporary  is  a  newspaper  over  whose  prosperity  we 
rejoice  the  more  because  we  see  it  is  edited  and  published  on  correct  principles.  It  follows  to  a  credit- 
able extent  the  example  of  the  "  Sun  "  in  printing  conspicuously  its  true  circulation,  though,  unlike  us,  it 
does  not  give  tlie  figures  of  each  day's  issue.  Their  reticence  about  that  matter  prevents  our  speaking 
accurately,  but  our  impression  is  that  the  Herald  sells  as  many  papers  of  its  difterent  editions  as  all  the 
other  journals  of  Boston  combined.  This  gives  our  contemporary  a  great  power,  and  we  are  glad  to  say 
that  it  uses  well  its  opportunity.    Like  the  "  Sun,"  it  is  a  four-page  sheet,  and  it  manages  to  get  into  its 


History  of  the  Herald.  93 

columns  all  the  news,  -with  such  comments  thereon  as  its  editor  deems  proper.  If  a  journal  does  this,  it 
fulfils  the  function  of  its  being  and  deserves  the  patronage  of  the  public.  The  manufacture  of  printing 
paper  is  one  of  the  most  important  industries  in  this  country,  and  the  processes  by  which  it  is  done  have 
been  so  perfected  that  we  need  never  fear  rivalry  in  that  direction  from  foreign  countries.  But  very 
much  of  this  paper,  which  comes  out  of  the  mill  so  fresh  and  clean,  is  disfigured  and  destroyed  by  the 
poor  stuff  printed  on  it.  Our  prosperous  Boston  contemporary  improved  the  occasion  of  its  entry  into  its 
new  quarters  by  giving  a  history  of  its  progress  from  feeble  infancy  to  ripe  manhood.  In  1846  the  staff 
of  the  Herald  was  composed  of  two  men,  whereas  now  it  contains  forty-four.  Six  compositors  were 
then  employed,  whereas  now  there  are  eighty-four.  One  pressman  and  an  assistant  did  not  overwork 
themselves  in  printing  the  paper,  while  to-day  thirty  men  are  kept  actively  employed  at  its  printing 
presses.  The  salaries  and  bills  for  composition  in  1846  aggregated  scarcely  fifty  dollars  a  week,  and  now 
the  composition  alone  amounts  to  one  thousand  six  hundred  dollars  a  week,  and  the  pay-roll  of  the  other 
departments  foots  up  to  the  sum  of  over  two  thousand  dollars  a  week.  This  frank  statement  of  The 
Boston  Herald  must  be  very  interesting  to  the  public  and  to  the  newspaper  profession,  and  probably 
the  facts  it  narrates  are  not  very  different  from  those  which  other  journals  might  give.  They  remind  us 
that  the  "  Sun  "  has  similarly  grown,  and  though  our  expenses  are  larger  than  those  of  the  New  England 
journal,  their  proportionate  increase  has  not  been  greater.  "We  extend  anew  to  The  Boston  Herald  our 
hearty  congratulations,  and  add  the  hope  that  it  will  experience  in  its  new  quai-ters  even  larger  prosper- 
ity than  has  hitherto  attended  it.  oSText  to  the  "  Sun  "  it  is  the  most  extensively  circulated  paper  in  the 
country,  and  if  it  always  taught  the  people  that  under  no  circumstances  they  should  compromise  with 
Fraud,  we  should  call  it  a  very  satisfactory  paper. 


From  the  New  York  Express. 

The  Boston  Herald  was  issued  on  Saturday  from  a  magnificent  new  ofiice,  at  No.  255  Washington 
Btreet,  — an  establishment  which  its  proprietors  proudly  term  "the  model  newspaper  office  of  the  coun- 
try." The  new  building,  which  covers  three  lots  of  ground,  was  erected  during  the  past  summer  by  the 
Herald  Publishing  Company,  and  its  appointments  throughout  are  of  the  most  liberal  and  thorough  de- 
scription. The  Herald  has  had  an  eventful  history  since  it  made  its  first  appearance  at  Np-  5  Devon- 
shire street,  in  the  summer  of  1846,  under  the  title  of  the  "American  Eagle,"  a  one-cent  morning  daily 
devoted  to  the  native  American  cause.  "With  the  decline  of  Know  Nothingism  the  enterprise  languished, 
and  after  a  drooping  existence  of  two  years  a  new  departure  was  taken,  and  under  new  management  and 
a  new  name  the  Herald  appeared  as  an  independent  evening  daily,  and  its  course  from  that  time  has 
been  an  almost  uninternipted  growth,  until  it  has  become  the  leading  journal  of  New  England,  and,  in 
fact,  one  of  the  very  first  newspapers  of  the  United  States.  In  all  that  pertains  to  the  current  history  of 
the  world  the  Herald  is  proverbial  for  its  enterprise,  ability,  and  fairness,  and  the  rewards  of  its  liberal 
and  vigorous  management  have  been  ample.  Its  circulation  surpasses  that  of  any  half-dozen  ordinary 
journals,  and  its  advertising  patronage  is  profitable  and  steady.  Its  managers  are  to  be  congratulated  on 
the  success  which  has  attended  their  enterprise,  and  Boston  on  the  possession  of  one  of  the  finest  news- 
paper palaces  of  the  world. 


From  the  New  York  Times. 

The  Boston  Herald  yesterday  was  published  for  the  first  time  from  anew  building,  No.  255 
"Washington  street,  erected  by  its  proprietors  for  its  especial  use,  and  avails  itself  of  the  opportunity  to 
describe  at  length  its  exceedingly  prosperous  career  during  the  past  thirty-two  years.  The  Herald  is  by 
long  odds  the  most  successful  paper  of  the  city,  and  of  New  England,  in  a  business  view,  its  circulation 
largely  exceeding  that  of  any  other. 


KJ 


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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  BERKELEY 
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